Resources

Expertise, events, news and updates –
what interests you?

COVID-19 – Financial implications for the education sector and potential support available

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in drastic changes to the education sector which have required phenomenal flexibility and dedication from those who work in it. Schools and colleges have been asked to close their doors (while still operating remotely where possible) except in respect of children who are vulnerable and the children of critical workers …
Read more

BatesCast: contractual obligations, force majeure and frustration

With the ongoing pandemic causing unprecedented disruption for organisations across a range of sectors, force majeure clauses in contracts are suddenly front of mind for organisations grappling with their contractual obligations. In the first episode of BatesCast, Bates Wells’ newly-launched Updates, Mindy Jhittay, Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution team, talks about the impact our current …
Read more

Is furlough an option for organisations in receipt of public funds?

Despite the government guidance being updated on 9 April 2020, uncertainty as to whether or not organisations in receipt of public funding are entitled to reimbursement under the Coronavirus job retention scheme remains. Please see our latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme here. Whilst it is clear that those solely in receipt of …
Read more

How can companies preserve business and incentivise employees during these uncertain times?

Bates Wells outlines some issues for consideration for companies planning for the future of their business, as well as the different forms of incentives available for your people. A lot has been written about how to deal with human capital, especially around furloughing.  Below we look at some other considerations… EMI Options Can be used …
Read more

School closures and Covid 19 – What are the data protection implications of engaging with children online?

Covid 19 has had a profound effect on how we interact with the people around us – in our personal lives as well as at work. Many face-to-face interactions have moved online and few groups have been more impacted by this change than schoolchildren. Schools and face-to-face learning have been replaced almost overnight by online …
Read more

Changing your charity’s structure

We often advise clients seeking to change from an unincorporated structure into a corporate charity. Lucy Rhodes explains what’s involved.
Read more

A bumpy road ahead for international data transfers

Victoria Hordern and Michael Charalambous examine the implications of new European recommendations for organisations transferring data outside the EU. Does your organisation use a US vendor for data processing? Do you regularly share information about your employees, customers or supporters with parts of your organisation based outside the EU or with partners outside the EU? …
Read more

Publication: Thinking about… Merger, during Covid-19

If your charity is considering a merger, our joint publication with IVAR could help. The coronavirus crisis has changed the landscape of the third sector, with many organisations now considering options like merger. In this joint publication from Bates Wells and IVAR, we draw together the experiences of a wide variety of voluntary organisations and advisers …
Read more

City Bridge Trust’s coronavirus fund receives £7 million injection to support London’s civil society

The City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust* has received a £7 million grant from The National Lottery Community Fund for its London Community Response Fund, which Bates Wells helped to set up in March. This additional tranche of funding, which we were delighted to advise City Bridge Trust on, takes the London …
Read more

Government announces independent review of judicial review

On Friday (31 July 2020) the Government launched an independent review to examine whether there is a need to reform the judicial review process in the UK. The terms of reference of the review are available here. The review follows a pledge in the Conservative manifesto to ensure judicial review is “not abused to conduct …
Read more

How can you reduce the carbon output of your building?

With buildings and the construction sector a significant contributor to carbon emissions, now is the time to look at reducing your building’s carbon footprint. Rebecca Rider provides a useful list of points to consider.
Read more

People Management: Chetal Patel on frontline workers during COVID-19

With the Home Office recently extending its list of frontline workers who will have their visa automatically extended as part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak, Chetal Patel, partner in our Immigration department, has spoken to People Management with her views on this move. This latest update will allow NHS workers on a visa …
Read more