dispute resolution

Gina Mok v The Lansdowne Club: a significant judgment for how social clubs are entitled to operate

Following a 5-day trial last month, the judgment of the High Court has been released in the case of Gina Mok v The Lansdowne Club.    Bates Wells (Leticia Jennings and Katy Sawyer) and David Reade KC acted for the Lansdowne Club throughout, and Mr Justice Ritchie has dismissed Gina Mok’s claim in its entirety. …
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What next for activists in light of the trial of Just Stop Oil M25 protestors?

On 18 July 2024, five protestors (including the co-founder of Just Stop Oil) were convicted of conspiring intentionally to cause a public nuisance, contrary to section 78 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977. These offences related to protests on the M25 across four …
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Clarity is key: what you need to know about the FCA’s anti-greenwashing rule and guidance

The FCA’s anti-greenwashing rule, which has been introduced into the Environmental, Social and Governance Sourcebook section of the FCA Handbook, clarifies to FCA-authorised firms that sustainability-related claims about their products and services must be consistent with the actual sustainability characteristics of the product or service in question, as well as fair, clear and not misleading. …
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Search and imaging orders: changes on the horizon

A new model form search and imaging order is expected to be introduced in the coming months. Experienced Supervising Solicitors Rob Oakley and Alex de Jongh look at how imaging orders work in practice, and consider what the future may hold. Counterfeit goods, fake passports, precious metals, weapons and illegal drugs: some of the more …
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Investigations and disclosure of sensitive communications

Investigations often take place where there is an allegation of wrongdoing. They are a crucial process, enabling organisations to establish facts, identify problems, and determine how best to proceed. Carrying out a thorough and fair investigation can enhance an organisation’s credibility and lead to the introduction of new and improved arrangements to help prevent incidents …
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Turbulence ahead: 20 airlines targeted by EU over greenwashing

“If we want responsible consumers, we need to provide them with accurate information … They deserve accurate and scientific answers, not vague or false claims,” EU Commissioner for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova In their first major coordinated anti-greenwashing enforcement action, the European Commission and EU consumer authorities, prompted by a complaint from the European …
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The SLAPP Bill: is enough being done to protect campaigners?

In recent years, we have seen a rise in strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) being used to intimidate and silence journalists, charities, and campaigners (SLAPPS claims usually centre on privacy or defamation). These aggressive legal proceedings misuse the litigation process to suppress freedom of expression and discourage public criticism. The introduction of the Strategic …
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Ethics washing – top tips to help protect your charity

Ethics washing, greenwashing, bluewashing, ethical laundering, eco washing… the list of terms continues to grow, and with it grows the risk of charities coming under scrutiny if what they do doesn’t align with their stated values. Simple mistakes, inaccuracies or misleading claims can have big consequences, risking lasting reputational damage among key stakeholders, loss of …
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Climate change – it’s everyone’s fight

“Climate change” and “climate crisis” have become synonymous with young people and their futures. But climate change is happening right now. A problem with talking about climate change in terms of young people only, is that it gives energy companies, unscrupulous governments and others who wilfully contribute to climate change, a reason to kick the …
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Has your organisation been affected by the FTX fallout?

If you’ve been following the news over the last few months, and in particular the last couple of weeks, you’ll have seen the headlines surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried – the co-founder of the failed cryptocurrency exchange platform, FTX, who oversaw the high profile failure of the business that was initially said to have cost its clients …
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Bates Wells announces impactful and significant judgment – Ali v Green Party of England and Wales

The case was brought against our client, the Green Party of England and Wales. Today sees the judgment in Ali v Green Party of England and Wales.  Mindy Jhittay who represented the Green Party of England and Wales comments, “This case is significant as a decision which will be of great interest to political parties …
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Discrimination, belief and the “fundamental party rights”: the judgment in Ali v Green Party of England and Wales

The County Court has given judgment in the case of Ali v representatives of the Green Party of England and Wales. In doing so, it has set out novel and timely principles on the interaction between the prohibition on discrimination by associations in the Equality Act 2010 and the fundamental rights of members of political …
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