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COVID-19 prompts calls for public inquiry

PPE supply. Handling of care homes. High proportion of deaths in the BAME population. Award of government contracts. These are just some of the issues which have led to calls for a public inquiry into the government’s response to COVID-19. Public inquiries can shed light on institutional failings and provide recommendations which, if implemented, pave …
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Coronavirus and the Impact Economy: what do you need to know?

In this week’s roundup, we examine how the evolving coronavirus pandemic is affecting the impact economy. We take a look at some key considerations for purposeful businesses and recipients of social investment, the duties of B Corporation directors, and operating with values and purpose. Webinars If you’re an impact-driven organisation, your approach during this challenging time …
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Bates Wells successfully represents clients in claim for delivery up of twenty seven Second World War motorcycles

Malcolm Robson and Lucinda Ellen have acted for the successful claimants, obtaining a summary judgment for the delivery up of the 27 vintage motorcycles, possession of which was being retained by a third party in the (as was established, wrongful) belief that it was entitled to exercise a common law right known as a particular …
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FAQs on the Government’s coronavirus Future Fund which launched today (20 May 2020)

What is it? The Government has made an initial £250 million available for investment to support continued growth and innovation in sectors including technology, life sciences and the creative industries. Although this sounds helpful, the nature and structure of the scheme will be of limited use to smaller early stage start-ups. Are you eligible? On …
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‘Global Britain’ restricts rules on representatives of overseas businesses

In the midst of a global pandemic, and whilst the immigration law community waits with baited breath for further guidance related to COVID-19, on Thursday 14th May a new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules was laid before Parliament. The statement contains significant changes to the sole representative of an overseas business (‘sole rep’) …
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BatesCast – what next for charity fundraising?

Charity fundraisers around the country are urgently dealing with unprecedented challenges. In the face of extreme financial pressure on charities, what is happening to fundraising, and how can practices be adapted? In this Updates, we speak to Lawrie Simanowitz, a partner in Bates Wells’ Charity and Social Enterprise team, along with special guest Dan Fluskey. …
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People Management: Chetal Patel on key workers and points-based immigration

The government’s points-based immigration scheme has passed its second reading in parliament, despite concerns it will be too restrictive for key sectors including care, food production and supermarkets. Chetal Patel, partner in our Immigration department, has spoken to People Management on this scheme. This new points-based scheme will come into force in January. The bill, …
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Covid-19: The return to the workplace – What are the data privacy implications for employers?

Now that the UK Government has begun the process of lifting certain lockdown restrictions (at least in England), employers are planning the return of employees to the workplace. Whether that be offices, factory floors, retail or catering premises, all employers will need to carefully consider the requirement to provide a safe working environment. We have …
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Bates Wells completes work to get emergency loan finance to charities and SEs

We are pleased to announce that our Charity and Social Enterprise team has just completed work on the formation of a new Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund to provide charities and social enterprises with emergency coronavirus related loan finance. The fund will be run by our client Social Investment Business and is backed by an …
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Civil Society: Coronavirus and charities’ real estate

Amanda Gray and Mark Traynor from our Real Estate team have written to Civil Society to assess the implications of the lockdown for landlords and tenants. In their article, the discuss how we’ve all heard plenty about the challenges facing the charity sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and about the various government …
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Liverpool FC score an own goal – the world of trade marks

European football champions Liverpool FC came a cropper in a recent trade marks case – in quite an instructive way. Mathew Healey explores the world of trade marking names.
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Victoria Hordern writes for Privacy Laws & Business: Is Morrisons to blame for actions of an employee with a grudge?

Victoria Hordern, partner and head of our Data Privacy team, has recently written an article for Privacy Laws & Business. In the article Victoria discusses what the UK Supreme Court’s decision in Morrisons tell us about liability under data protection law. The article focuses on an incident where a Morrisons’ employee maliciously uploaded payroll data …
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