Resources

Expertise, events, news and updates –
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Brexit – where are we now?

As the UK moves into a new relationship with the EU, what do charities and social enterprises need to know? Our new briefing provides guidance across key areas of law. The United Kingdom is now in a new relationship with the European Union. After many months of negotiations, an agreement on the future partnership was …
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Accuracy is crucial for drafters of legacies when naming charities – we explain why in Charity Finance.

Leticia Jennings, partner, reviews a recent dispute regarding misnamed charities in an ambiguous will. What are the lessons learned and what should you do if your charity is contacted? This article by Leticia Jennings was featured in the March 2021 issue of Charity Finance following a High Court judgment concerning an ambiguous will in which …
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Diversity in action: A guide for charities – membership charities

When you want to make positive changes to promote greater diversity within your membership or trustee body, you need to know when the Equality Act may apply. In the third section of our diversity in action guide, we explore the practical impact of the Equality Act, looking at the complexities of encouraging diversity in membership …
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Marking Data Protection Day in 2021

The date of the annual Data Protection Day (28th January) doesn’t change but the world has changed considerably since 28th January 2020.  The impact of COVID-19 on communities and families as well as businesses and the non-profit world cannot be overstated. Many would ask whether it’s possible to return to life as we knew it …
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Diversity in action: A guide for charities – back to basics

Is discrimination ever lawful? The second article in our diversity in action guide gives a brief introduction to the legislation on diversity – the Equality Act 2010. Navigating the law around diversity and discrimination can feel like a minefield. Here we set out fundamental principles charities need to be aware of, including: Is discrimination ever …
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Handy tips for B Corporations

Throughout our history, we’ve focused on creating a positive social and environmental impact as much as we have on being a successful law firm. For that reason we knew that certifying as a B Corp was something we wanted to do. So in 2015 we became the first UK law firm to do so. We …
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Bates Wells advises on sale of shareholding in Luxembourg and Co Art Limited

Bates Wells’ M&A team advised Ms Amalia Dayan on the sale of her shareholding in Luxembourg and Co Art Limited (previously Luxembourg and Dayan Art Limited), the company that runs one of the most distinguished art galleries in London and New York. Amalia was a founder of the gallery. The gallery, Luxembourg + Co., presents …
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Bates Wells is the first law firm to adopt the Halo Code

The Halo Code explicitly protects employees who come to work with natural hair and protective hairstyles associated with their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities. Hair discrimination continues to be a source of racial injustice with serious consequences for Black people in the UK. By adopting the Halo Code, we are proactively taking a stand to …
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Employers must ‘tread extremely carefully’ when hiring EU nationals before 30th June 2021

As it stands, citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland who are working in the UK are eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). This allows workers and their families to continue living in the UK after 30th June 2021 – when the scheme ends.
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Diversity in action: A guide for charities

With diversity and inclusion high on the agenda across the third sector, we’ve produced a guide for clients looking to develop and instil best practice in their charities. In this guide, we’ve included a range of specialist advice and practical guidance designed to help you negotiate the law and to incorporate good practices into your …
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Our climate commitments: annual report 2020

In 2019, we made a commitment to take practical action to fight the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. Here’s how we’ve done so far. Since September 2019, we’ve been working hard to deliver on our climate commitments. We promised to achieve net carbon zero in 2019 and work to reduce our scope 3 emissions. We …
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Part 2: A go-to guide if your staff are working in Europe (including Switzerland) now and into 2021

If your organisation has staff working in Europe (including Switzerland), this is a “must-read” for you. As the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020, it’s never been more important for organisations to consider the impact of free movement ending for workers who are based in Europe and Switzerland. We’d like to share Part …
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