Resources

Expertise, events, news and updates –
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Immigration Reforms Announcement

UK Visas and Immigration have published a road map for immigration, which provides insight on the future for economic immigration. On 24 May 2021, the UKVI published a lengthy statement entitled the ‘New plan for immigration: legal migration and border control strategy statement’ covering the UK Government’s proposals for the next four years. This statement …
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Contractual obligations and Covid-19

Despite many reasons for optimism in the UK, Covid-19 continues to cause problems for millions of people. Although the UK seems to be on a reasonably steady path back towards normality, the ever-changing situation since March 2020 has shown that it is still too early to say whether we can finally wave goodbye to the …
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What to look for in a dispute resolution and litigation team

There is a misconception that you only need a lawyer who is adept at resolving disputes or litigation when all else has failed; the ‘distressed purchase’ to use as a last resort. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Finding and building a relationship with the right dispute resolution team can be one of …
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Ten top tips for SMEs considering applying for a sponsor licence

Will you need to consider applying for a sponsor licence in order to attract and retain key talent following the end of the Brexit grace period on 30 June 2021? We know that SMEs have been hard hit following Brexit, and have faced huge financial and resourcing difficulties following the pandemic. We know that SMEs …
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Charity and social enterprise update: trustees in the spotlight

The recent Kids Company case – in which the Official Receiver challenged the actions of the trustees and CEO of insolvent charitable company Kids Company – shone a very public spotlight on the position of charity trustees and senior managers. The High Court dismissed the Official Receiver’s bid to disqualify the former trustees and CEO …
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The answer to the European Super League fiasco? The Better Business Act.

Benjamin Thomas gives his thoughts on the issue at the heart of the European Super League: shareholder primacy. On Sunday, 18 April 2021, the biggest football news story in decades broke out of nowhere. 12 of Europe’s elite clubs simultaneously issued a press release which announced the launch of an alternative to the Champions League: …
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B Corps – Recruiting and retaining your people

Acquiring, retaining and developing talent is fundamental to the success of any organisation. As B Corps, the way in which we choose to do this may differ but the common value we all have is that we want to embrace a diverse workforce and ensure that they are fulfilled in their role. Click the link …
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Real estate update: Repurposing your office space

Office space is often a large expense, so now is a good time to review whether your space still meets your needs. If your office space no longer meets the needs of your organisation but it’s not the right time to move, we describe a few of the options you can consider in this article. …
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Diversity in action: A guide for charities – a focus on reasonable adjustments

Employers need to be aware of the rules around reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees. Recognised as a ‘cornerstone’ of the Equality Act 2010 (EA), the duty to make reasonable adjustments requires employers to take positive steps to ensure that those with disabilities can access and progress in employment. Many employers find navigating this …
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Update on UK travel restrictions

What’s the latest UK COVID-19 travel restrictions? Read our latest update for information. From 4am on Friday 23 April 2021, India will be added to the UK Government’s ‘Red List’. In this update, we set out the current restrictions on travel, which are in place until 17 May 2021, and what you can expect to …
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Charity Financials: Bates Wells acts for more top UK charities than any other law firm

Charity Financials’ latest directory recognises Bates Wells as the top UK law firm in the sector. Charity Financials’ Top 3000 Charities directory reports annually on the finances of the biggest charities in the UK, along with their advisors. Bates Wells has been once again been recognised as top of the table when it comes to …
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Changes to the Covid-19 right to work checks guidance

On 20 April 2021, the Home Office updated guidance for employers in relation to carrying out right to work checks during the pandemic. What’s the current procedure? In brief, there are currently 3 ways to check someone’s eligibility to work in the UK. Conducting a manual right to work check; orUsing the Home Office’s online …
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