Bates Wells

Bates Wells is a different kind of law firm

It is purpose‑led and committed to using the law to drive positive change. As the first UK firm to achieve B Corp certification, it has long set the benchmark for sustainability, responsible business practice and values‑driven legal work.

The firm supports a wide range of clients, from multinationals and public bodies to growing businesses, cultural organisations, charities and social enterprises. London‑based with an international outlook, Bates Wells combines commercial and regulatory expertise with a strong sense of social responsibility.

Its practices span Charities, Corporate and Commercial, Employment, Real Estate, Immigration, Litigation and Public and Regulatory Law, offering specialist support across both private and impact‑focused sectors. While widely recognised for advising mission‑driven organisations, Bates Wells is equally trusted by mainstream commercial clients for its clarity, pragmatism and awareness of wider societal implications. The firm also contributes to sector‑shaping initiatives, from strategic litigation to sustainability and governance reform.

At its core, Bates Wells is driven by the belief that excellent legal work and positive societal impact should go hand in hand - an approach that continues to set it apart within the UK legal market.

Main Areas of Practice -

Charity & Social Enterprise: Our team is one of the UK’s leading practices, acting for major charities, NGOs and innovative social enterprises. We specialise in securing charitable status for new models and advising on complex governance, regulatory and operational issues. The team has led sector‑defining work including the creation of the Community Interest Company structure, key social impact bond developments, the Butler‑Sloss case on climate‑aligned investment, and the successful defence of the former Kids Company trustees. We bring deep sector insight, having advised thousands of organisations across all areas of charity law.

Corporate & Commercial: Our team has developed considerable expertise in M&A, company take-overs, joint ventures, management buyouts, commercial contracts and partnership advice. This team has a particular focus on the technology sector and specialises in the small to mid-cap market, acting on many AIM listings.

Employment: Our team advises employers and employees on all aspects of contentious and non‑contentious employment law, including dismissals, redundancies, restrictive covenants, TUPE, service agreements and injunctions. The team has strong expertise in discrimination matters and undertakes most advocacy in‑house before the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal. We also provide a full range of training services, including mock tribunal sessions. The team is widely known for its landmark worker‑status victory against Uber in the Supreme Court.

Immigration: Our team advises on all aspects of business and personal immigration, including work permits, skilled worker routes, residency and nationality applications. We also handle complex human rights, asylum, deportation and Article 8 cases, with particular expertise in LGBTI asylum and appeals. Combining corporate and personal immigration insight, we provide clear, pragmatic support to employers, charities and individuals.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation: Our team advises across a broad range of matters, with particular expertise in commercial and real estate litigation, administrative and civil liberties work, social care law, IP, insolvency and defamation. The team’s media disputes specialists have acted on significant cases, including representing The Times in a landmark Supreme Court appeal that confirmed a common law right to access information from public authorities where disclosure is in the public interest.

Public & Regulatory: Our team advises regulators, charities, not‑for‑profits, educational institutions, and central and local government bodies. We also act for businesses, campaign groups and individuals challenging public authority decisions. The team combines strong public law expertise with a practical understanding of how regulatory bodies operate.

Real Estate: Our team advises on all aspects of commercial property, with specialist expertise in financing and borrowing, planning and construction, and insolvency matters. We act for property companies and a wide range of businesses and individuals, supporting both landlords and tenants across diverse real estate needs.

Politics, Elections and Campaigning Law: Our team is one of the few UK practices specialising in electoral law. We have advised on major political matters, including Britain Stronger in Europe’s role as the lead Remain campaign, the Green Party and major non‑party campaigners ahead of national and devolved elections, and prospective candidates in the London Mayoral race.

Purpose & Impact: Our P&I team supports businesses that pursue profit alongside social or environmental purpose. Drawing on Bates Wells’ own values‑driven ethos and B Corp principles, we advise clients on governance, structuring and legal frameworks that embed mission and long‑term impact.

Culture & creative: Our team advises a wide range of arts organisations and venues across the creative industries, including theatre, dance, opera, visual artists and digital‑first companies. We provide sector‑focused, practical advice tailored to the needs of cultural and creative organisations.