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The cost of getting flexible working requests wrong

A tribunal has awarded almost £185,000 in damages after a central London estate agent refused to grant a flexible working request. In this update, we cover how the tribunal came to a decision and highlight why this is significant for employers. The recent case of Thompson v Scancrown Ltd, trading as Manors, is a salutary …
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Are you in the adult social care sector? Have your say on the impact of the end of free movement.

Significant challenges within the care sector have become particularly prominent in the last few weeks, with an increase in staff shortages due to the end of free movement and a spotlight placed on funding. In response to the government, The Migration Advisory Committee (‘MAC’) is requesting views and evidence from anyone with relevant knowledge, expertise …
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A review of our litigation team’s positive impact

As we reflect on our work over the last year, we are proud of the extensive impact our litigation team has made to the lives of so many people. Download the report below to read about some of their most impactful work from Autumn 2020 to Summer 2021.
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Collection of vaccination status by employers

Employers may seek to be aware of the vaccination status of staff to limit the spread of Covid-19. However, collecting this information must be done carefully. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout in the UK continues, with all adults having now been offered a vaccination and over 45 million (almost 90% of the adult population) having received …
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EU Settlement Scheme: What’s next for employers and individuals?

We explain the next steps for employers and individuals following the deadline. The EU Settlement Scheme (‘EUSS’) officially closed for applications on 30 June 2021. From 1 July 2021, all EU, EEA and Swiss nationals will need to have immigration status in the UK to live and work. Click here to skip to ‘What can …
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Update to Travel Rules from Amber List Countries from 19 July 2021

The UK Government has announced today that, from 19 July 2021, fully vaccinated UK residents who are travelling to England from a country on the Amber List will not be required to quarantine in their homes for 10 days. They will still be required to pay for PCR tests before and after they arrive in …
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New ballot system for T5 Youth Mobility Workers

The Home Office has recently introduced a new ballot system for migrants seeking entry into the UK under the T5 Youth mobility visa. This sought after visa allows migrants of certain nationalities to live, work and study in the UK for a period of 2 years. When will it open? The ballot runs twice a …
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Latest changes announced to the Immigration Rules

The Home Office published a Statement of Changes on 4 March 2021, which introduces a new Graduate visa route and sets out changes to a number of existing routes, including the Skilled Worker, Innovator, Global Talent and EU Settled Status routes. Graduate Route: From 9am on 1 July 2021 a new Graduate visa route will …
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Bates Wells advises SigmaRoc plc on its £305 million syndicated debt facility

SigmaRoc was created in 2016 and focuses on investing, improving and integrating companies in the European construction materials sector. Nordkalk was established in 1898 as a limestone developer in Finland and has expanded to become a leading supplier of limestone-based solutions for agricultural, construction and chemical industries. The enlarged quarried materials group is operating across …
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Mergers: salvage or sense?

Lawrence Simanowitz, partner at Bates Wells, recently shared his observations on the surprising lack of increase in the number of mergers across the sector. Lawrence, who regularly advises on mergers, said to Third Sector: “If you look at the economic research we have seen showing a really high proportion of charities that thought they would …
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The right to work checks concession has been extended – what does this mean for your organisation?

With less than one week to go until the Covid-19 adjusted right to work checks were due to end, the Home Office has announced today that these measures will be extended until 5 April 2022 (inclusive). In recent months we have been lobbying the Home Office via Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association to request a delay …
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Mandatory vaccinations in care homes – 5 key steps

How your organisation can best prepare for the new regulations, which are expected to be extended to workers in the wider health and social care sector From 11 November 2021, anyone entering a registered care home in England will have to be double vaccinated. The DHSC’s operational guidance clarifies that, in addition to care home …
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