The Employment Rights Act 2025 comes in to force – what’s next for employers?
On 18 December 2025, after much debate between the House of Commons and House of Lords, the Employment Rights Bill was finally approved, and received Royal Assent; becoming the Employment Rights Act 2025 (the “Act”). The Act will bring in a raft of changes to UK Employment Law; the scope and significance of which have …
UK Immigration in 2025: reflecting on change and looking forward to 2026
2025: A year of change in UK immigration 2025 saw a year of major changes to UK immigration policy. The Labour government described their proposal to double the settlement qualifying period to 10 years as “the biggest shake-up of the legal migration system in nearly half a century”. Other changes include increased sponsorship costs, reduced …
Bates Wells advises Soros Economic Development Fund on its $7.5 million investment into EcoEnterprises Fund IV
Bates Wells has advised Soros Economic Development Fund on its investment into EcoEnterprises Fund IV, a women-owned and women-led fund manager. EcoEnterprises Fund IV backs bioeconomy companies that preserve natural capital, combat climate change, and promote inclusive and sustainable development. Operating across South and Central America, the fund targets key sectors including non-timber forest products, …
Webinar | Charity law and regulation webinar 2026 | 27 January
Join charity experts from across Bates Wells for a sweeping review of recent changes in the legal and regulatory landscape, with a look ahead to what’s on the horizon for 2026. We will be covering topics such as: When and where? Zoom webinar on Tuesday 27 January 2026 at 14:30 – 15:45.
Government to fully enforce Electronic Travel Authorisations from 25 February 2026
The Government announced in November that from 25 February 2026, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement will be strictly enforced, meaning that carriers will refuse boarding without one. Background From April 2025 everyone has been required to have digital permission to come to the UK through either an ETA or an eVisa, with some limited …
The Bates Wells Employment Conference | 24 February 2026
On 24th February 2026, in partnership with the Charities HR Network, we’re hosting our inaugural annual employment conference at the RSA in London. We’ll bring together senior leadership in the charity sector to discuss a range of hot topics impacting HR teams. From crisis management strategies, to changes to non-disclosure and settlement agreements under the …
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