Bates Wells > London, England > Firm Profile
Bates Wells Offices

10 QUEEN STREET PLACE
LONDON
EC4R 1BE
England
Bates Wells > The Legal 500 Rankings
Employment > Immigration
The key strength of Bates Wells‘ immigration practice lies in its collaborative approach, which allows its lawyers to develop bespoke, focused solutions to meet the needs of clients on both the business and personal sides of the market. Practice head Tim Barnden focuses on human rights and personal immigration, while Chetal Patel leads the team’s corporate offering, where her experience includes advising on large acquisitions. Barnsden has especially notable experience in cases involving complex family situations and LGBT+ clients, as well as applicants facing issues relating to criminality or character. Associate Matthew James‘ work spans both business and personal immigration, with a particular focus on helping clients navigate the post-Brexit immigration system. The ‘knowledgeable, articulate, and down to earth’ Aisha Choudhry rounds out the team on the business side, where she is well regarded for her broad experience.Practice head(s):
Tim Barnden
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team at Bates Wells is simply par excellence. Their responsiveness, knowledge, timeliness and attention to detail makes them a forerunner in the industry.’
‘For us, the most important thing was the integration between the immigration team and our general charities support. It provided a holistic experience.’
‘Chetal Patel has been enormously helpful to us – she’s clearly on top of the issues and is a dream to work with. Highly recommended.’
‘Aisha Choudhry and Chetal Patel are always prompt, responsive and clear in their advice.’
‘Working with partner Chetal Patel is a sheer joy. She is very prompt with responses, has an up to date knowledge of market trends and issues and always delivers work in a concise, easy to understand manner that makes it a pleasure to work with her and her team.’
‘Aisha Choudhry is extremely thorough, hard-working and dedicated to her role in advising clients.’
‘The knowledge, experience (legal and practical) responsiveness, availability, combined with their engaging manner, make partner Chetal Patel and associate Aisha Choudhry a winning combination.’
‘We have complete faith in the advice we are given from the immigration team. They are extremely knowledgeable about such a complex system. They are always on top of what is happening and any changes occurring. It is not just about getting as much money as possible from clients. Communication is excellent.’
Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 1
Bates Wells is praised for its ‘focus on the charity sector with excellent knowledge of all relevant issues for organisations operating in this area – combined with its strong commercial practice, this is a winning combination’. Thea LongleyPractice head(s):
Thea Longley
Other key lawyers:
Philip Kirkpatrick; Lawrence Simanowitz; Stephanie Biden; Laura Soley; Erica Crump; Lucy Rhodes; Simon Steeden; Luke Fletcher; Oliver Hunt; Augustus Della-Porta; Hannah Lyons
Testimonials
‘The advice to date has been incredibly thorough, considering a number of external factors that have been instrumental in our strategy for our business. They have been clear and open on billing and offered a range of ways to deliver what we’ve needed’.
‘Thea Longley has provided excellent advice to my organisation on a range of charity/public law related matters over many years. It is helpful to have this degree of consistency and one “go to” person who knows our organisation well, so they can always respond quickly and effectively’.
‘The team has deep expertise not just in charity law but also in the application of charity law and commercial law in all areas in which a charity commonly conducts activities. The lawyers at Bates Wells really care about the charities they work with and have been willing to support my team with two part time secondees at a time when I really needed the additional resource and expertise’.
‘Stephanie Biden has proved a valuable ally. She and her team provide excellent support’.
‘Oliver Hunt is a rock for our organisation. We have a long-standing relationship with him and he knows and understands our organisation intricately. He is solidly reliable on timing and attention, and gives us well-considered, practical and legally sound advice. He communicates openly with us and is available to support us whenever we are in need’.
‘Luke Fletcher is a technically skilled and forward-thinking leader in the charity law team at Bates Wells and charity law and impact investing sector more widely. He supports the development and dissemination of legal thinking in charity law and social investment’.
‘Bates Wells has a reputation for working extensively in the charity sector. The advice it provides reflects its knowledge of this sector and a familiarity with the issues we are facing. Laura Soley and Hannah Lyons are approachable and responsive. Advice is considered and pragmatic in finding solutions’.
‘High level of expertise, very accessible and responsive. In terms of being innovative and client-focused, the senior partner held a discussion with me to get my reflections on their service as part of the firm’s own reflection on its performance. Very easy to engage with. Stand-out partners I have worked with recently are Laura Soley and Lawrie Simanowitz ‘.
Key clients
BBC Children in Need
Barnardo’s
Comic Relief
World Animal Protection
British Council
Christian Aid
The Royal Foundation
National Federation of Women’s Institutes
Samaritans
Black Lives Matter
Work highlights
- Advised ClientEarth on the donation and subsequent auction by Christie’s of a series of works by major international artists.
- Worked on a governance review for United Bible Societies Association (UBSA).
- Advised on a merger of the Northern Irish Squirrels Association into the UK Scout Association Royal Charter charity.
Public sector > Electoral Tier 1
Bates Wells advises on wide range of party political issues, including MPs switching parties and the formation of new parties and movements. In addition to advising on Westminster elections, the firm also advises on Scottish and Welsh parliament elections, by-elections and referendums. The team is led by Simon Steeden, who advised the official Remain campaign group in the EU referendum campaign, as well as advising the Green Party on their electoral campaigns.Practice head(s):
Simon Steeden
Testimonials
‘Bates Wells are always reliable. I feel like I could go to them with anything.’
‘Simon Steeden gave outstanding support on an issue that required a speedy turnaround.’
Key clients
The Green Party
Labour Campaign for Human Rights
38 Degrees
LexisNexis
Avaaz
Wales Audit Office
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Compliance officer
Work highlights
- Reviewing and updating LexisNexis PSL practice notes on non-party campaigning.
- Advised on the establishment of a new political party in 2021.
- Advised an ex-officer and member of a leading national political party on a long-running contentious internal party disciplinary and appeals process.
Public sector > Administrative and public law Tier 2
Bates Wells is well regarded for advising clients on a wide range of public law matters, ranging from judicial reviews to public enquiries and finance issues with a nexus to the public sector. It regularly acts for third sector clients such as Royal Parks and Oxfam. and is praised for providing 'a superb and responsive service'. Claire Whittle, who was recently promoted to the partnership, is highly regarded for public law challenges, including judicial reviews and statutory appeals. Senior associate Alistair Williams is likewise recommended.Other key lawyers:
Claire Whittle; Alistair Williams; Emma Ainsley
Testimonials
‘The team are extremely professional, approachable and supportive. They are always extremely efficient and provide a superb and responsive service. The support and guidance provided is exceptional.’
‘The qualities I value are the fact that the team are always on hand to provide expert advice and guidance. They offer a personal service to discuss the matters at hand and then provide superb written guidance which I value. Every now and again I receive a supportive e-mail and this makes you feel valued.’
‘The Bates Wells team has been very user friendly and always reliable and efficient.’
‘Emma Ainsley has been stand-out in terms of her efficiency and being totally on top of all the documentation, timetabling and more general organisation to ensure that the case at hand is presented to the tribunal in the most professional manner.’
‘We like their expertise in this area of the law very much; and we would add that we like the way that they go above and beyond in understanding our very specific legal concerns, and our slightly quirky modus operandi.’
Key clients
Canal & River Trust
Social Work England
National Audit Office
Advertising Standards Authority
The Royal Parks
Architects Registration Board
Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman
Local Government Ombudsman
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
The Portman Group
Airport Coordination Ltd
Royal College of Nursing
AQA
Wales Audit Office
British Council
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Compliance Officer
Work highlights
- Represented the International Planned Parenthood Federation as the claimant in a judicial review.
- Represented the Forward Trust at the Brook House Inquiry.
- Representing the Advertising Standards Authority in a judicial review claim brought by Aldi Stores.
Public sector > Education: institutions Tier 2
Bates Wells advises university organisations as well as student bodies on a range of issues in the commercial and corporate sectors of further and higher education. The team is led by senior associate Jean Tsang, who handles commercial matters, as well as governance, charity and safeguarding, and Claire Whittle, who was promoted in April 2022 to cover the public and regulatory aspects of qualifications, contentious education matters and safeguarding. Lucy McLynn also leads on cases related to employment, such as disputes with trade unions, defending employment tribunal claims and data privacy matters.Practice head(s):
Jean Tsang; Claire Whittle
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Expert knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework in which our business operates. A problem-solving, rather than a strictly legalistic, approach. Excellent judgement. Very strong negotiating skills. Highly responsive, even to demanding timescales. Fees reasonable for a blue chip firm.’
‘Bates Wells are a trusted law firm, who have supported us over the years on a wide range of legal issues – from governance to trademarks, legal interpretation and impact on our members of a range of government policy issues. We consider Bates Wells experts in the regulatory conditions of the UK qualifications regulators in particular.’
‘Bates Wells have a detailed understanding of the regulated environment in which awarding bodies operate. They have been incredibly responsive and supportive throughout the time that we have worked with them and they are a trusted supplier, who we recommend our members contact with any legal issues of their own.’
Key clients
WKCIC
Universities UK
West Herts College
BPP University
AQA
Council of the Inns of Court
Barking & Dagenham College
Trinity College London
National Union of Students (NUS)
Workers’ Educational Association
Public sector > Education: schools Tier 2
Bates Wells works across the full spectrum of education matters, particularly regarding school reforms. The practice is able to work in collaboration with the wider firm's well-regarded charity law practice, as well as drawing on in-house expertise where immigration matters are concerned. The commercial team is led by Jean Tsang, who handles mergers and acquisitions of academies and independent schools as well as establishing new independent schools. Claire Whittle was promoted to head of the public and regulatory team in April 2022, and specialises in qualification regulations, contentious education matters and safeguarding.Practice head(s):
Jean Tsang; Claire Whittle
Testimonials
‘Bates Wells are the absolute experts in charity, social enterprise and education practice. They have extensive experience with start-ups, multi-academy trusts and scaling organisations which gives them a fantastic perspective and portfolio. No other firm has this expertise.’
‘Their approach is unique as they build capacity in the sector – with workshops, templates and networking to help increase skills and knowledge and spread their impact more widely than just the clients they work in depth with.’
‘They are always seeking opportunities to connect our organisation with others where there could be interesting collaboration, and this has led to strategic discussions for us and advanced our mission to make education fair.’
‘They are quick to respond with clear answers. Their answers are also jargon- and waffle-free, which is reassuring: concise, well structured, reassuring. There is a clear impression that they have extensive knowledge and experience of the educational market and the legal issues common to it.’
‘I was particularly impresssed with Jean Tsang. She stood out as someone who is keen to understand the client to ensure her expert advice is spot on. And it is so, invariably. She is flexible, and not just able to rattle off stock answers but is very precise in her advice. She also has a great command of the whole project and not just the areas which she deals with directly which is most impressive.’
Key clients
Mulberry Schools Trust
Olive Academies
St. Bede’s Foundation
City of London Academies Trust
Central Foundation Schools of London
Dolphin School
Brightside Educational Trust
Shaftesbury Young People
Raine’s School Foundation
AQA
Work highlights
- Advising Raine’s School Foundation on complex education, charity, trust and property law matters relating to the ownership and dealings with its two East London sites.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment (including media finance) Tier 2
Led by the go-to lawyer for the Advertising Standards Authority, Rupert EarlePractice head(s):
Rupert Earle; Erica Crump
Other key lawyers:
Molly Carew-Jones; Tom Pratt
Testimonials
‘Erica Crump is pragmatic and a good problem solver.’
‘Collaborative and problem solving approach to negotiation, good all round resources for a small team, good communications.’
Key clients
English National Opera
Trigger Stuff/Trigger Productions
Advertising Standards Authority
The Royal Foundation, The Earthshot Prize
Shakespeare’s Globe
KOKO Foundation
Work highlights
- Advising the Advertising Standards Authority on a High Court judicial review claim.
- Advising Trigger Productions on production agreements, commissioning, funding, corporate structures, negotiations, commercial contracts, and IP protection.
- Providing ongoing legal support to Shakespeare’s Globe.
Dispute resolution > Professional discipline Tier 3
Bates Wells‘ 'very skilled team' covers the entire range of professional discipline, including health and social care, legal services, architecture, science and astronomy; the practice has a track record of acting for representative bodies, such as royal colleges and institutes. Public and regulatory specialist Claire Whittle was promoted to partner in April, although former practice leader Melanie Carter moved to Bevan Brittan LLP in mid-2022 and contentious public law partner Emma Dowden-Teale left for DLA Piper.Other key lawyers:
Claire Whittle; Emma Ainsley
Testimonials
‘The Bates Wells team was willing and able at very short notice to take on a complex and highly sensitive case concerning a judicial discipline, and handled the case admirably with total discretion, courtesy and efficiency.’
‘The team and individuals I worked with addressed each of my concerns with practical clear guidance, sharing the law and also interpretations. This allowed me to make a clear choice and be actively involved in the process.’
‘A small but very skilled team that has always been very keen to learn how we work – not just our legislation but also our approach to regulation and our plans for future development.’
‘Good knowledge of the Charity Sector Quick Response service and a common-sense approach.’
‘Claire Whittle has provided excellent legal counsel on many occasions. She has good technical knowledge, and has always made the time to speak to us when we’ve needed a rapid response.’
‘Emma Ainsley has been a standout in terms of her efficiency, and being totally on top of all the documentation timetabling, and general organisation to ensure that the case at hand is presented to the tribunal in the most professional manner.’
Key clients
Royal College of Nursing
Social Work England
Royal Astronomical Society
Architects Registration Board
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists
International Psychoanalytical Association
British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
Market Research Society
Work highlights
- Providing Social Work England with advice on public law and professional discipline matters.
- Advising the Architects Registration Board on the subject of regulatory changes post-Brexit, a matter which potentially impacts many professional organisations.
- Redrafting the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)’s Conduct Procedures to address issues raised in the firm’s review and the reforms proposed by the RAS.
Employment > Senior executives Tier 3
Bates Wells handles a range of disputes in the online retail and news, private healthcare and financial services sectors, with a particular focus on test cases about the status of workers within the gig economy. Lucy Mclynn leads the ‘fully committed, incredibly helpful, and extremely well-informed’ group, which includes William Garnett, who specialises in acting for senior figures in a range of sectors. Senior associate Rachel Mathieson is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Lucy McLynn
Other key lawyers:
William Garnett; Paul Jennings; Rachel Mathieson
Testimonials
‘Lucy McLynn is first rate for those who have to confront discrimination at work. She understands the employment and partnership worlds from both sides and is both pragmatic and empathetic.’
‘Lucy McLynn was fantastic in my case. Measured, calm, pragmatic but fiercely on my side and empathetic. A real winner.’
‘Pertinent, responsive and sensible legal advice.’
‘Smart advice; Dedication to supporting and protecting the rights of clients.’
‘William Garnett went to great lengths to ensure our interests and rights were protected. He is a good strategist and provided clear timely advice.’
‘William Garnett is a very focused individual, caring about his clients and very involved with his cases. He managed to help me out with my employer, my private insurance and the insurance authority defending my interests. He was the one who transformed a difficult case into an unequivocal victory, beyond my expectations.’
‘William Garnett was exemplary. A very good listener and very user friendly. I suspect he is one of the best in the business. He was a pleasure to deal with in what was an unpleasant situation. William is a tough negotiator but not cavalier. I felt very comfortable in his hands. I can only say that I was glad to have him on my side, rather than him acting for my former employer!’
‘Bates Wells supported myself and a number of former colleagues in preparing for an Employment Tribunal. The cases were complex, the process difficult and under the glare of the national media spotlight. From the moment we engaged with Bates Wells, they were fully committed, incredibly helpful, and extremely well-informed. I cannot speak highly enough of Bates Wells and would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them to anyone, especially those in need of employment law advice.’
Work highlights
- Successfully defending claimants in the landmark Uber litigation on worker status.
- Acted for Bloomberg employees who had UK-based contracts, but historically had been permitted to spend the bulk of the week in their territory of origin.
- Represented a client in his worker status claim against MyTaxi (now Transopco) in the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Public sector > Local government Tier 3
Bates Wells' local government practice is made up from a cross-departmental team that includes specialists in the fields of public sector mutuals, public law, procurement, State aid, employment and property. In particular, the firm does a significant amount work relating to external audits. Augustus Della-Porta is a charity and social enterprise lawyer with particular expertise in spinning out services from local authorities.Practice head(s):
Augustus Della-Porta
Other key lawyers:
Erica Crump; Alistair Williams; Suhan Rajkumar
Key clients
Achieving for Children
National Audit Office
Audit Wales (formerly Wales Audit Office)
Grant Thornton
KPMG
Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA)
Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments Ltd (SAAA)
Mazars LLP
Deloitte
Croxley Green Parish Council
Achieving for Children
National Audit Office
Audit Wales (formerly Wales Audit Office)
Grant Thornton
KPMG
Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA)
Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments Ltd (SAAA)
Mazars LLP
Deloitte
Croxley Green Parish Council
Work highlights
- Advised Achieving for Children on its governance and management.
- Advised Grant Thornton on local government law and on its powers and duties as statutory auditor.
- Appointed to the Audit Wales panel.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management Tier 3
Bates Wells advises a wide-ranging client base on the full spectrum of reputation management law including data protection, harassment, and defamation on social media. Practice head Rupert Earle regularly acts on groundbreaking cases for institutions of national significance, household name media companies, and high-profile individuals. Senior associate Alex de Jongh is an experienced commercial litigator and has particular expertise in advising campaigning groups on sensitive defamation issues.Practice head(s):
Rupert Earle
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘We often contact Bates Wells with ‘thorny’ issues and invariable with a tight timeframe. The team are always empathetic and understanding, and support us to work through the challenges we may present. They are able to assimilate the information we provide quickly and effectively, presenting us with solutions and options to progress a matter. We feel as though we are in safe hands.’
‘Rupert Earle is particularly supportive and is our key contact. He is responsive, timely, considered and empathetic. His professional approach provides confidence that we will achieve a good outcome whatever the issue may be that we present. He responds quickly and has often provided written responses and guidance within days, and sometimes hours.’
Key clients
Times Newspapers Limited
Hymns Ancient & Modern (publisher of Church Times)
Industry focus > TMT Tier 4
Bates Wells has broad experience advising clients across the technology and media sectors. Richard Marke is head of the firm’s TMT team, while Paul Jennings is noted for his expertise in employment law, as well as his recent work on a case concerning the potentially discriminatory effects of AI technology. Media litigation head Rupert Earle is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Richard Marke
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team, led by Richard Marke, provides a very attentive and personal service. They really take time to understand their client’s goals and priorities and reflect this in their pragmatic and commercial advice.’
‘The team is very concerned about helping its customers. They perfectly know how to reassure and explain to their customers the pros or cons of each solution.’
‘Richard Marke is one of the best technology lawyers I have encountered in my career. He combines a great depth and breadth of technical legal knowledge with excellent negotiation skills. He chooses his battles and will not waste clients’ time getting hung up on issues that have minor or no commercial impact or which pose minor legal risks to the client. Richard is a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Advertising Standards Authority
Perkbox
Trigger Stuff
Nikon
Reliance Bank
118 Data
Sutherland Global Services
Guided E-Learning
Shakespeare’s Globe
ENO – English National Opera
Virtuoso IT
Work highlights
- Advising on a test case looking at the potentially discriminatory effect of AI, and the status of individuals who work across a number of technology platforms at the same time.
- Advised CDP Worldwide on a collaboration involving the transfer of the intellectual property and employees of its Climate Disclosure Standards Board to the IFRS Foundation.
- Supported the Trigger group on a range of production matters, particularly its participation in the nationwide festival ‘UNBOXED’.
Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 4
The ‘well established and experienced’ commercial property practice at Bates Wells handles development projects, finance and secured lending transactions and investment acquisitions. Practice head Mark Traynor provides a ‘truly outstanding level of service’ for commercial, charity, and private clients. Malcolm Headley ‘provides calm, pragmatic advice’ on all aspects of commercial real estate, while the ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic’ Karli Hiscock has extensive experience acting for commercial organisations and charities. Jamie Huard focuses on work associated with social enterprises and heritage property; clients say Huard is ‘extremely helpful and knowledgeable’.Practice head(s):
Mark Traynor
Other key lawyers:
Jamie Huard; Karli Hiscock; Malcolm Headley; Safia Daud
Testimonials
‘In our dealings with Bates Wells, the team showed a great deal of discretion. They were organised and always available to discuss options and potential ways forward in our case.’
‘William Scott and Karli Hiscock were a pleasure to deal with. They were professional, diligent, discrete and a pleasure to work with.’
‘I have worked with are Karli Hiscock, who is very knowledgeable and pragmatic. She can be relied on to take sensible points and not argue about lease clauses for the sake of it; she has a sound approach to risk and knows our charity well and its governance.’
‘Well established and experienced practice advising occupiers. Very competitive fees for a city practice and a very personal level of service from experienced partners and senior associates.’
‘Malcolm Headley – very experienced, provides calm, pragmatic advice and spends time getting to know his clients’ businesses.’
‘In one transaction Mark Traynor was an absolute colossus. Truly outstanding level of service.’
‘I always judge people on how they interact with me on a personal level and professional level. I find all members of the team at Bates Wells great to work with including Malcolm Headley and Safia Daud.’
‘Jamie Huard was extremely helpful and knowledgeable . He worked to extremely tight deadlines and was unfailingly polite and positive.’
Key clients
JM Finn
Handelsbanken plc
Lely Atlantic Limited
Nikon UK Limited
WaterAid
The Advertising Standards Authority
V-Zug
World Cancer Research Fund
Council of Inns of Court
FM Conway Limited
The Charity Bank
Work highlights
- Advising V-Zug UK Limited in relation to its flagship UK showroom and demonstration space in the heart of London’s luxury retail hub.
- Advising London Road Peterborough Properties Limited in relation to a high-profile acquisition of Peterborough United Football Ground helping to secure the club’s long-term home and continuing its economic and social benefit for the city.
- Advising English National Ballet School in its lease of new premises, Canary Wharf area and a renewal of its premises in central London.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 4
Bates Wells is particularly noted for its work in data licensing and acts for both suppliers and customers of IT. The team also provide a full-service offering to start-up technology companies, especially those in the medical sector. Head of the practice Richard Marke advises a vast array of clients, from software providers and data wholesalers to hi-tech device businesses, as well as assisting customers with acquiring technology products.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Superb attention to detail and client contact is always straightforward and easy.’
‘They are responsive, helpful, and very attentive. They are able to explain legal stuff to non-legal people simply.’
‘Richard Marke is a go-to lawyer for tech and outsourcing matters.’
‘The team, driven by Richard Marke, is very responsive and very helpful; they always try to find an operational solution. They are able to explain easily the legal situation to clients.’
Key clients
118 Data
Nikon
Mark Roberts Motion Control
CDP Worldwide
Guided E-Learning
The Alan Turing Institute
Sutherland Global Services
Reliance Bank
Perkbox
Virtuoso IT
Work highlights
- Advised CDP Worldwide on a collaboration with the IFRS Foundation.
- Advised P2i on an £8m private equity fundraising from Circularity Capital.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys Tier 4
Counting some of the UK’s largest non-profit organisations among its key roster of clients, Bates Wells is ‘highly capable in supporting the registration and protection of a charity’s trade marks’. The team, which is led by Mathew Healey, also acts for commercial clients and has demonstrable experience in handling clearance, enforcement, portfolio management and licensing matters, as well as contentious proceedings before the UKIPO and IPEC. Recently promoted partner Catharina Waller is praised for her ‘depth of insight, pragmatic approach and all-round wisdom’.Practice head(s):
Mathew Healey
Other key lawyers:
Catharina Waller; Wendy Grey
Testimonials
‘I have found the team to be highly capable in supporting the registration and protection of a charity’s trade marks.’
‘Mathew Healey and Wendy Grey are two stand-outs in the Bates Wells team. They are challenging, responsive, knowledgeable, flexible and are vital business advisers for our organisation in terms of our UK and international trade mark strategy.’
‘The team is very reliable and easy to reach. The advice is always on point.’
‘Catharina Waller has outstanding knowledge and is very client oriented. She understands our needs perfectly.’
‘The trade mark team are vey knowledgeable, but also pragmatic, offering the best solutions including recognising when alternatives to trade marks might be more suitable. The Bates Wells trade mark team are very responsive and accessible, always on hand if immediate advice is required.’
‘I’ve enjoyed Mathew Healy’s approachable nature and willingness to give context when answering my queries.’
‘Bates Wells has a deep understanding of the needs of charity clients.’
‘I would recommend Catharina Waller for her depth of insight, pragmatic approach and all-round wisdom.’
Key clients
The Woodland Trust
International Planned Parenthood Federation
CDP (formerly ‘Carbon Disclosure Project’)
Biorelevant.com Ltd
Reloop
Braintree
Braincare
The Copper Mark
The Trussell Trust
Barnardo’s
The Alan Turing Institute
Freud Communications
38 Degrees
The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Cruelty Free International
Fair FX
Voluntary Service Overseas
Trinity College London
International Paralympic Committee
WaterAid International
Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (‘Sightsavers’)
Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home
Girl Effect
Guide Association
Institute of Masters of Wine
The National Gallery
Football Foundation
National Schizophrenia Fellowship (‘Rethink Mental Illness’)
The Market Research Society
London & Partners Limited
National Deaf Children’s society
FM Conway
Emilia Clarke
Vodafone Foundation
Grand Lodge of Master Mark Masons
WRAP
Keep Britain Tidy
Help Refugees (Choose Love)
Work highlights
- Advised on and implemented a strategic trade mark filing programme across the world for Choose Love (Help Refugees).
- Advised The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a range of trade mark matters, including around the high-profile launch of the Earthshot Prize.
- Advised Freud Communications on trade mark and copyright considerations, as well as NFTs.
Employment > Employers Tier 5
Lucy McLynn leads the employment department at Bates Wells, which continues to maintain strong activity in sensitive tribunal cases, involving precedent-setting topics such as transgender rights. The firm is also highlighted for its expertise in employment data protection, internal investigations involving bullying and misuse of power, and its longstanding track record working with charity/not-for-profit employers. William Garnett and Paul Jennings are the other key partners.Practice head(s):
Lucy McLynn
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I have worked with Bates Wells for the last 15-20 years. Their consistently exceptional approach in terms of an understanding of the charity and pubic sector, value for money approach and pragmatic, tailored and reliable advice to me as a client.’
‘Bates Wells have clear expertise in the issues that are faced by charities and understand the nuances required.’
‘Lucy McLynn delivers exceptional advice to the various organisations. Her breadth of knowledge of employment law is excellent and she provides high level pragmatic, proportionate and tailored support on a consistent basis. ‘
‘Paul Jennings combines a calm, friendly, personable style with a to the point, direct business manner that puts you at your ease whilst at the same time keeping meetings short and outcome-focused so that you know you are getting value for the time you are paying for.’
‘Paul Jennings – His robust and detailed approach inspires confidence as a client and he would always be at the top of my list in an employment tribunal situation.’
‘Excellent accessible legal advice. Would highly recommend them for employment law advice.’
‘Lucy McLynn (Partner) is an excellent employment lawyer. Always on hand to give the best advice.’
Key clients
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Tenon FM Limited
Tyler Capital
The Alan Turing Institute
Capital City College Group
Unicef
Planit IE
Green Party
Perkbox Limited
Universities UK
Work highlights
- Acting in the cutting-edge, high profile case for Global Development, a London think-tank in an alleged discrimination case.
- Advising Trinity College London in relation to the very topical issue of ‘worker status.’
- Successfully defended the Royal College of Nursing at a 7-day Tribunal hearing relating to direct race and disability discrimination, unfair dismissal and victimisation.
Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 5
Bates Wells is noted for its ‘vast experience of working with non-profit organisations’, which often seek out the practice for advice on data protection matters, marketing issues and regulatory compliance. A key contact in the team is Eleonor Duhs, who is well versed in GDPR work, regulatory investigations and data transfers. Victoria Hordern has recently departed the firm.Other key lawyers:
Victoria Hordern; Hannah Lyons (Senior Associate); Rayhaan Vankalwala (Associate): Eleonor Duhs
Testimonials
‘This practice has vast experience of working with non-profit organisations. Their responses and advice, whether it be about marketing and/or data protection have always been timely, precise and pragmatic.’
‘The quality and expertise of Bates Wells practitioners stands out for their professionalism. This can be in regards to invoicing and the professional services of their lawyers. We have mainly sought advice from Hannah Lyons who has a wide breadth of knowledge regarding the charity sector, fundraising and data protection.’
‘I worked with Victoria Hordern and Rayhaan Vankalwala. Their approach is brilliant. They are sensitive to the situation of the client and very supportive. Their advice is concise and clear, and I felt very comfortable asking additional questions after our initial meeting.’
‘Bates Wells have been extremely generous and supportive to our charity, advising us in a range of legal areas such as GDPR.’
‘Michael Charalambous has been very helpful with his expertise in data protection. We have developed a much more comprehensive and robust data protection policy which is fully GDPR compliant thanks to his advice and support.’
‘The team at Bates Wells is really well versed on specific topics and can also provide insight on related areas as required. They work really well as a team and are able to provide support to each other when the need arises.’
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 5
Real estate > Property finance Tier 7
Bates Wells has notable expertise in acting in the charity and social enterprise sectors, and the team handles development finance projects regarding social housing, care homes, education and housing associations. Mark Traynor is head of the practice, and Malcolm Headley and finance lawyer Patrick Keown are also names of note.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Malcolm Headley; Maisie Ireland; Patrick Keown
Testimonials
‘They do a good job.’
‘Good, practical advice. A sensible commercial approach proportionate to the transaction.’
‘Malcolm Headley is easy to talk to, accessible, offers solutions not problems, is aware of timescales and is proactive.’
‘Malcolm Headley and Maisie Ireland provide responsive, experienced, sound advice.’
‘Malcolm Headley is calm, communicative, transparent, professional, pragmatic and persoanble – a combination that is rarely matched.’
Key clients
Architectural Heritage Fund
Arbuthnot Latham
Big Issue Invest
Charity Bank
Coutts
Handelsbanken
Lloyds
Metro
Recognise Bank
Reliance
Santander
Triodos
UTB
Shelter
People Potential Possibilities
UK Sailing Association
GMS Estates Limited
FM Conway
Work highlights
- Acting for Charity Bank in relation to a loan of £3.5m for the purposes of redeveloping an already-owned freehold site to create a new place of worship.
- Acting for Triodos Bank in relation to a £11m loan for residential development.
- Advising Unity Trust Bank plc in connection with a £3.5m refinance of five leasehold pharmacy properties in southeast London.
Industry focus > Emerging markets
Bates Wells > Firm Profile
Bates Wells is a City firm with a difference.
The firm believes in making a positive impact, whether that’s achieving legislative and regulatory change around sustainability, or working on a landmark case with wide-ranging implications. It is not afraid to challenge the status-quo. As a values-driven firm, Bates Wells shows commitment to its clients, people, the environment and society. It was the first UK firm to achieve B Corporation certification.
The firm’s clients are diverse – from global household names, to public bodies, to start-ups. It is also the firm of choice for thousands of charities and social enterprises.
Bates Wells has excellent strength in corporate and commercial law, as well as employment, real estate, arts and media, immigration, litigation and public and regulatory law. The firm is based in London, but it has a significant international practice across all specialisations, reflecting the international scope of many of its clients.
Principal areas of practice
Charity and social enterprise: The charity and social enterprise department is recognised as one of the leading practices in the country. It acts for numerous household names, international charities and NGOs. It has particular expertise in obtaining charitable status for innovative organisations and for developing new initiatives within the sector. The firm, as well as having initiated the idea of the ‘Community Interest Company’, has been responsible through the years for many books and other publications. Particularly noted has been the department’s cutting-edge advice on social enterprise; its close liaison with the Cabinet Office on social impact bonds; its ground-breaking work in advising charities and the government on the developing area of mutualisation and public service delivery; and the consolidation of its role as a market leader in the field of social finance.
Corporate and commercial: The corporate/commercial team has developed considerable expertise in M&A, company take-overs, joint ventures, management buyouts, commercial contracts and partnership advice. This team is increasingly involved in the technology sector and specialises in the small to mid-cap market, acting on many AIM listings.
Impact economy: A key area of focus for the firm is businesses who are dedicated to achieving profit alongside purpose. Bates Wells’ own values-driven ethos underpins its advice in this sector.
Culture and creative: The culture and creative team advises a wide range of arts organisations and venues across the creative industries, from theatre, dance and opera, to artists and companies in the digital sphere.
Employment: The employment team advises both employers and employees on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law, including dismissals and redundancies, restrictive covenants, TUPE, service agreements and injunctions. The team has particular interest and expertise in all areas of discrimination. The team undertakes most representative work in-house, both in the Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. It also offers a full range of employment training services, including mock tribunal training.
Immigration: The immigration department handles all aspects of immigration and nationality law, including work permits, highly-skilled migrant applications, residency, asylum work and human rights.
Litigation: The litigation department is broad-based, with particular specialisations in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, administrative law, civil liberty law, social work law, intellectual property law, insolvency and defamation. The media disputes team’s notable matters include representing The Times in a ground-breaking Supreme Court appeal, in which the judge established a common law right to information from public authorities, where it is in the public interest for such information to be released.
Politics, elections and campaigning law: The team has advised on some of the biggest political issues of our time, including advising Britain Stronger in Europe on their role as the designated lead campaigner on the ‘Remain’ side of the EU referendum debate; advising the largest non-party campaigners and the Green Party in the run-up to the 2015 General Election and the 2016 devolved national elections in Scotland and Wales; and advising one of the prospective Labour Party candidates in relation to the 2016 London Mayoral campaign.
Public and regulatory: This team acts for regulators, charities, not-for-profit and private sector organisations. The team has a particular focus on work with educational establishments and central and local government (including audit). It also acts for businesses, campaign groups and individuals who wish to challenge the decisions of public authorities.
Real estate: The real estate team handles all types of commercial property work with related specialist expertise in financing and borrowing, planning and construction, and insolvency work, both for property companies, and also a wide range of businesses and individuals, both as landlords and tenants.
International: Bates Wells has a significant international practice across all specialisations, reflecting the international scope of many of its clients. Bates Wells is a founder member of the esela – The legal network for social impact, as well as the Parlex Group, an extensive network of European firms bringing together practices specialising in commercial law, with affiliates in the US, China and Israel.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing partner | Martin Bunch | ||
Advertising and marketing law | Rupert Earle | ||
Charity and social enterprise | Philip Kirkpatrick | ||
Corporate and commercial | Mark Tasker | ||
Culture and creative | Lawrence Simanowitz | ||
Dispute resolution | Robert Oakley | ||
Employment | Lucy McLynn | ||
Environment | Simon Steeden | ||
Faith-based organisations | Stephanie Biden | ||
Finance | Luke Fletcher | ||
Immigration | Tim Barnden | ||
Insolvency | Malcolm Robson | ||
IP/IT and information law | Lawrence Simanowitz | ||
Legacies and probate disputes | Robert Oakley | ||
Litigation | Robert Oakley | ||
Media disputes | Rupert Earle | ||
Public and regulatory law | Melanie Carter | ||
Social finance | Luke Fletcher | ||
Sports | Thea Longley | ||
Trade associations and membership bodies | Thea Longley | ||
Trade marks | Mathew Healey |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Tim Barnden | Tim is a Partner in the Immigration Department advising clients across the… | View Profile |
![]() | Stephanie Biden | Partner. Advises on establishing new charities and social enterprises, and assists charities… | View Profile |
![]() | Martin Bunch | Martin is Bates Wells’ Managing Partner and has been a practising employment… | View Profile |
![]() | Erica Crump | Erica is a Partner and has been with BWB since 2006. Her… | View Profile |
![]() | Augustus Della-Porta | Partner. Advises acharities and not-for profits on a range of commercial and charity… | View Profile |
![]() | Rupert Earle | Public law: numerous cases for the Advertising Standards Authority, including Sainsburys v… | View Profile |
![]() | Luke Fletcher | Partner. Luke specialises in charity law and social enterprise. As well as… | View Profile |
![]() | Mathew Healey | Mathew is a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and heads up our trade… | View Profile |
![]() | Karli Hiscock | Karli has over 10 years’ experience in all aspects of commercial property… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Jennings | Paul is a specialist employment and discrimination lawyer. He advises employers and… | View Profile |
![]() | Philip Kirkpatrick | Deputy managing partner and joint head of charity and social enterprise team,… | View Profile |
![]() | Thea Longley | Partner and Head of the Charity and Social Enterprise team. Work includes:… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Marke | Partner, commercial team. Richard has a broad range of commercial contract and… | View Profile |
![]() | Lucy Mclynn | Contentious employment work with particular emphasis on discrimination and status issues; reported… | View Profile |
![]() | Robert Oakley | Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution / Litigation Department. Case load includes… | View Profile |
![]() | Chetal Patel | Chetal advises individuals on securing leave to enter and remain in the… | View Profile |
![]() | Tom Pratt | Tom provides a wide range of contractual, commercial and governance advice to… | View Profile |
![]() | Abbie Rumbold | Partner in charity and social enterprise team. Recent work includes: Spin-out of… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Seath | Contentious and non-contentious employment work, including transactional advice. Particular interest in disability… | View Profile |
![]() | Lawrence Simanowitz | Specialist in advising UK and international charities, and arts and media organisations,… | View Profile |
![]() | Laura Soley | Partner in the charity and social enterprise team and head of the… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon Steeden | Partner in charity and social enterprise department. Provide corporate and commercial, financial,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Traynor | Partner in the property team acting for commercial, charity and private clients… | View Profile |
![]() | Claire Whittle | Claire has experience in a wide range of public and regulatory work. … | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 37 Number of other UK fee-earners : 115Diversity
Promoting diversity and inclusion is a key priority for us. It is weaved throughout everything we do. Our engagement ranges from the pro bono work of our volunteers through to the core work of the firm.
We take action, including through our Diversity & Inclusion Forum (DIF), to bring about positive change. Some of our achievements include:
- Regularly welcoming school age children to the firm and providing work-based experience through our Social Mobility and Schools Outreach programme.
- Using contextual recruitment processes (including working with Rare Recruitment to calibrate academic results in the context of an average school performance, caring responsibilities and/or having been in care etc) and specific diversity-focused agencies to recruit to meet our diversity goals.
- Working with Breaking Barriers, to offer placements to refugees in our legal and business teams to support integration through employment.
- Co-authoring the Practical Toolkit for Women in Law with the Law Society as a guide to help female lawyers throughout the world.
- Becoming the first law firm to adopt The Halo Code, which explicitly protects employees with natural hairstyles associated with their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities.
- Publicly committing to the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter.
- Partaking in the Law Society women in the profession centenary work – holding separate roundtable meetings for women and for men, internally and with clients and in-house lawyers, to consider barriers and solutions to career advancement of women lawyers, and to feed in the outcomes to our Management Board and the Law Society.
- Signing The Race at Work Charter – an initiative designed to improve outcomes for BAME employees in the UK.
- Organising regular activities and speakers for Black History Month, Holocaust Day and Mental Health Awareness Week.
- Preparing gender and ethnicity pay gap reports, in particular formulating the action points designed to close the gap, including family friendly policies, encouraging flexible and adaptable working for all employees and partners, and improving inclusion and unconscious bias training.
- Being an accredited Living Wage Employer and being a founder member of London Citizens’ Living Wage Campaign.
- Partnering with Sutton Trust on their Pathways to Law programme for disadvantaged people.
- Creating a list of resources to increase understanding about disabilities, caring responsibilities and neurodiversity.
- Receiving the Belief at Work Award from Savanta ComRes, for commitment to creating a workplace through which our staff and clients of all faiths and none can flourish (in part through our Faith at Work group).
We have HR functions which monitor the development of staff through promotion ensuring appropriate training and work opportunities to maximise potential.
Many of our lawyers are leaders in equality law and we bring this to bear in seeking the development equalities law. Our Head of Public and Regulatory was previously an in-house lawyer for the Commission for Racial Equality (a predecessor of the Equality and Human Rights Commission). Our Head of Employment was, for many years, on the government’s Advisory Panel of the Equal Opportunities Review. Moreover, a great many of Bates Wells’ clients, for whom we do discounted work, are pioneers in positive action, advancement and allyship, such as Black Lives Matter.
As the first law firm to be certified as a B Corporation (a business that meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance), our commitment in this area is routinely scrutinised to maintain our certification.
- Employment > Immigration
- Private client > Charities and not-for-profit
- Public sector > Electoral
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Public sector > Administrative and public law
- Public sector > Education: institutions
- Public sector > Education: schools
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment (including media finance)
Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution > Professional discipline
- Employment > Senior executives
- Public sector > Local government
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management
- Industry focus > TMT
- Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys