Bates Wells

bateswells.co.uk

Mark is a Senior Associate in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells and a “Roll A” Parliamentary Agent, able to assist charities and other organisations governed by private Acts of Parliament in updating governing documents and powers to better achieve their missions. He advises on constitutional reviews, complex trust and charity law, membership organisation governance, and compliance with Charity Commission guidance and the Charity Governance Code. Mark also supports clients on information law, election and campaigning regulations, and grant-funding or contractual arrangements. In addition to providing practical legal advice, he is active in writing and speaking on issues affecting charities and purpose-driven organisations.

Tim is a Partner in the Immigration Department advising clients across the full range of personal, and family-based immigration, and human rights and refugee based claims. More than 25 years qualified, he started his practice in the Legal Aid sector, moving on to work for 10 years within a highly regarded niche immigration firm: Wesley Gryk LLP, before joining Bates Wells. Tim led the Immigration Team as Head of Department for 5 years from 2018 to 2023. In addition to leading on the department's personal and human rights immigration practice, Tim is Bates Wells' LGBT+ Ambassador. He is equally at ease working with high-net-worth individuals and their families, organisations and businesses, couples and family groups, and vulnerable applicants.

Alice Bennington

Alice is an Associate in the Immigration team at Bates Wells, advising on both corporate and personal immigration matters, with a particular focus on nationality law. She has experience assisting individuals with applications to remain in the UK, including on the basis of private life, discretionary grounds, and family-based applications, as well as advising on naturalisation and registration as a British citizen. Alice also supports corporate clients on right-to-work issues and skilled worker visa applications, and is currently involved in several pro bono cases, including refugee family reunions.

Stephanie Biden

Stephanie is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells and is the joint lead on all the firm’s work with faith-based organisations, with a particular interest in working with International NGOs and environmental organisations. Stephanie’s day-to-day work involves dealing with the Charity Commission on registrations, consents and regulatory compliance cases, governance advice, supporting charities with collaborative working and mergers. She also advises on contracts, grant-making (including overseas), fundraising and trading, intellectual property, social franchising, equality and discrimination, and corporate philanthropy. Her recent work includes advising CAFOD, the official international development agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, on its incorporation; advising the McCall MacBain Foundation, a grant-making organisation, on a £75m donation to the Rhodes Trust; and advising on the registration of the Marriage Foundation as a charity and the conversion of StreetBank CIC to a charity (both of which had previously were initially refused charitable status).

Rebecca is an Associate in the Employment team at Bates Wells, advising both employers and employees on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters. She provides guidance on issues including discrimination and victimisation claims, unfair dismissal, TUPE, redundancy, and disciplinary or capability procedures. Rebecca also advises on employment contracts, produces HR guidance for organisations, and supports employment-related due diligence in corporate restructurings and service spin-outs.

Martin is a Partner in the Employment team at Bates Wells, continuing to build his successful employment practice after having served as Managing Partner for 12 years. During his leadership Martin oversaw the firm’s certification as a B Corp and spearheaded a number of firm-wide initiatives to advance the responsible agenda; steering Bates Wells into the purpose & impact space, narrowing the firm’s gender salary gap, and taking practical action to promote inclusion and diversity. Martin is also an experienced advocate in the Employment Tribunal and an accredited CEDR mediator. He works in all areas of employment law with a particular focus on TUPE issues arising out of mergers and acquisitions, and the protection of confidential information and other confidential property by the enforcement of contractual covenants. He also provides contentious and non-contentious advice to clients ranging from large commercial clients to charities and individuals.

Molly Carew-Jones

Molly is a Senior Associate in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells and she advises charities, not for profit organisations and business with a social purpose across a range of issues. This includes advising on charity formation and registration, commercial contracts, governance, intellectual property advice, regulatory compliance and investigations as well as general charity law. Molly has particular expertise in advising organisations working in the creative and cultural industries, including museums, theatres and galleries. For example, her work includes delivering training seminars on an Introduction to Copyright and Monetising Intellectual Property in collaboration with the Creative Industries Federation. Additionally, Molly advises on fundraising law including arrangements with commercial participators, professional fundraising, corporate sponsorship and society lottery regulation.

Eloise is an Associate in the Public and Regulatory team and advises on the full range of public law issues clients bring, both contentious and advisory. She also has had previous experience working with large social and healthcare regulators, as well as training in civil litigation representing legal aid clients. Eloise has represented Interested Persons in complex inquest proceedings, including charities and organisations with hybrid public/private functions, and for claimants and defendants in Human Rights Act 1998 claims. She acts for clients with Core Participant status in high-profile public inquiries. Her recent work includes successfully obtaining funding from the Department of Health and Social Care to act as an individual’s Recognised Legal Representative; and representing a senior executive in connection with the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. Eloise also has experience in the education sector including defending Equality Act claims in the First-Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), representing schools and academies in relation to complaints against non-ministerial departments.

Aisha is a Senior Associate in the Immigration Department and specialises in corporate immigration. Aisha advises clients on sponsor licence applications, mergers or acquisitions and sponsor licence compliance, as well as assisting with Representative of Overseas Business applications. Aisha works with clients from a variety of sectors such as wealth management, tech, media, charity and faith based.

Jessica Collings

Jess is a Senior Associate working across the Public and Regulatory, and Charity and Social Enterprise teams at Bates Wells, advising on governance, international operations, election law and complex regulatory issues. She has particular expertise in helping NGOs navigate counter-terrorism and sanctions risks in challenging global environments. Jess supports individuals and organisations facing regulatory intervention or operating under demanding statutory regimes, often in crisis situations involving conflict, disaster or sudden shifts in international relations.

Erica is Bates Wells’ Managing Partner and has been with the firm since 2006. Whilst maintaining her practice working with charities, and social and creative organisations, Erica also leads our Culture and Creative work. A lot of her work is commercial and regulatory, taking on a general counsel role for the organisations she supports. Erica is passionate about the role that charities, non-profits and culture play in our society and wider democracy. She also has a particular interest in cultural assets and “intangible assets” (IP), and how organisations can use those throughout the world to generate impact and income. For example, she has advised museums, galleries, campaigns and heritage organisations on cultural artefacts, including their exhibition, loans and wider value to the public, as well as having supported organisations on restitution claims. Erica believes that we should strive for a dynamic and varied cultural life, which offers space for us to create, share and debate nationally and internationally – and to bring about wider social impact.

Safia is an Associate in the Real Estate department at Bates Wells and deals with a wide variety of property transactions, ranging from the acquisition and disposal of both freehold and leasehold properties, the granting and letting of leases, assignments, underlettings, alterations and refinances acting for both borrower and lender. She acts for both commercial and charity clients as well as high net worth individuals.

Natasha is an Associate in the Public and Regulatory team at Bates Wells, advising a wide range of clients - including public bodies, regulators, charities, private organisations, and individuals on complex legal and regulatory matters. She has represented clients in judicial reviews, statutory appeals, and regulatory disputes, and contributed to high-profile public inquiries. Her practice covers human rights, equality and discrimination, freedom of information, professional regulation, safeguarding, public rights of way, and local government law, with particular expertise supporting charities and not-for-profit organisations in navigating regulatory challenges.

Rosie De Galleani

Rosie is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team at Bates Wells, and she has been here since 2015. She specializes in a wide range of property transactions, advising clients that include commercial organizations, investors, financial institutions, charities, social enterprises, and high-net-worth individuals. Rosie’s expertise covers property sales and acquisitions, lease negotiations, and lease management for both commercial and charity sector clients. She also has experience advising sports bodies on security and funding issues related to grants. Recently, Rosie supported a major charity with real estate due diligence during a nationwide restructuring and provides ongoing property management advice for retail clients.

Alex is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution team at Bates Wells and specialises in commercial, charity and media disputes - helping clients to avoid, settle and, when necessary, fight them. With 20 years' experience, Alex understands the financial, commercial and reputational impact a dispute can have and he gives clear, pragmatic advice to help manage risks, identify solutions and achieve them.

Augustus Della-Porta

Augustus is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells and advises charities and not-for profits on a range of commercial and charity law matters. This includes advising on constitutional and governance issues, structures and restructures, mergers, operating overseas and spinning out from local and central government. Augustus works across a range of sectors and in particular faith-based organisations, public sector services, trade associations and membership organisations, and international not-for-profit organisations.

Lindsay Draffan

Lindsay is the Head of Competition in the Corporate and Commercial team at Bates Wells, specialising in UK competition law, EU competition issues in the post-Brexit landscape, and economic regulatory matters. She brings more than two decades of specialist experience, gained in top-tier competition practices and a government regulator. She advises on the full spectrum of competition law, including anti-competitive conduct, market studies and investigations, merger control and sectoral regulation. Lindsay also supports clients on UK subsidy control, public procurement and retained EU regulatory regimes such as export controls. She works with public, private, and non-profit organisations across the UK economy and is known for her practical, engaging approach to competition compliance training. Working with organisations across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, she is particularly recognised for helping clients build practical competition compliance cultures through clear, accessible training and guidance.

Eleanor is a Partner and our Head of Data and Privacy, having a plethora of experience in GDPR and privacy law. Before moving into private practice, Eleonor was the UK Government's lead lawyer in negotiations on the GDPR. Eleanor represented the UK in meetings in Brussels, drafted text for inclusion in the GDPR legislation, and worked with the European Commission, representatives from other EU Member States, regulators and stakeholders to develop the regime. Since moving into private practice, Eleonor has advised clients on a wide range of privacy laws including tracking or monitoring of data subjects, collection, use and retention of personal data, data sharing, data protection in the context of commercial contracts, data breaches, international data transfers, and the impact of Brexit on data protection and the privacy aspects of emerging technologies.

Rupert is a Partner and the Head of Media Litigation at Bates Wells, specialising in media, public/regulatory, advertising and consumer law issues, both in and out of court. Public law: numerous cases for the Advertising Standards Authority, including City Fibre v ASA 2019 and Actegy v ASA 2019; challenges to Transport for London's ban on advertising for Northern Cyprus, FCDO for cuts in overseas aid budget, DEFRA for failure to enforce animal welfare legislation in respect of broiler chickens. Defamation: defending numerous libel actions for Times Newspapers and other publishers, including Cruddas v Calvert, CA 2015; Takenaka v Frankl, first anonymous email libel tracing action to reach trial; disclosure actions against Facebook, Twitter, BT, etc; libel action for Prince Nayef against The Independent. Freedom of information: several cases for journalists and authors, including MPs additional cost allowances case against House of Commons, Kennedy v Charity Commission (Supreme Court 2014) and Lownie v University of Southampton and Cabinet Office. Broadcasting: Licensing disputes with Ofcom

Leela is a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team at Bates Wells and advises on a wide range of commercial contracts across sectors: IT, technology, consumer goods and services, financial services, industry associations, local government pension pools and non-profits. In addition to this, she has supported clients with shareholder and limited partnership arrangements, advice related to investment documents (either discretionary management or private markets). Leela also supports clients with advice related to applicable legislative and regulatory updates. Her recent work includes advising on the Consumer Rights Act and the upcoming Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act; supporting global manufacturers in the consumer goods and luxury products industries by setting up their distribution networks; and advising purposeful organisations such as B Corps, and Royal Charter bodies on a variety of commercial arrangements such as grant agreements, publishing agreements, IT/SaaS contracts, licensing agreements, and outsourcing agreements.

Luke is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team, advising on the full range of activities carried out by charities and social enterprises as well as co-leading the firm’s work on social finance and in the wider ‘impact economy’. His work involves advising charities, not for profits, social entrepreneurs and B Corps on structuring and formation, charity law and governance, commercial arrangements, restructuring, mergers and regulatory challenges. For example, he recently advised a leading think tank in relation to a high-profile regulatory review by the Charity Commission.

Helen is a Senior Associate in the Public and Regulatory team at Bates Wells. She advises both in and out of court on the full spectrum of public and regulatory law, including equality and discrimination, human rights, freedom of information, local government, environmental law, education, charity regulation, fitness to practise, and professional regulation. Helen has a particular focus on judicial review challenges, in which she represents claimants, intervenors, interested parties, and defendants. She also acts in inquests and public inquiries. Examples of her recent work include advising extensively on protected belief protections under the Equality Act 2010; and helping organisations (including charities) to respond to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Lily is a Solicitor in the Employment team at Bates Wells, advising both employers and employees on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Her work includes day-to-day advisory support, drafting employment documentation, conducting legal research and analysis, and assisting with Employment Tribunal claims and settlement negotiations.

Wendy is an Associate in the Charity & Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, with particular expertise in Trade Marks. She brings over 18 years of private practice experience, having worked across a breadth of market sectors such as technology, fashion, pharmaceuticals, media, and oil and gas. Wendy specialises in IP audits, ownership recordals, and large evidence projects, such as reputation and distinctiveness. She is also a regular speaker at conferences and seminars, providing expert trademark advice.

Louise is a Partner in the Charity & Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, advising charities, social enterprises, philanthropists, B Corps, and impact-driven businesses on governance, structuring, social investment and international development finance. She brings transactional expertise from her early career as a banking lawyer, including cross-border and emerging market finance. Louise co-leads the firm’s Purpose & Impact strategy and has played a key role in developing the B Corp movement in the UK, including designing the legal requirements now used by over 1,100 businesses. She also advises commercial organisations embedding purpose into their governance and operations and provides guidance on policy and mission-led business initiatives. Her charity law practice covers a wide range of legal and commercial matters, including corporate structure, regulatory compliance, financing, and impact investing, often working at the intersection of charitable and commercial activity.

Malcolm Headley

Malcom is a Partner and the Head of Real Estate at Bates Wells, and helps clients with their real estate requirements, whether they are acquiring, developing, leasing, managing, disposing or financing. When handling real estate transactions, Malcom understands the commercial drivers, manages the process and delivers within challenging timescales. As part of his role, Malcom advises occupiers, investors and developers and banks on real estate and financing matters.

Mathew is a Partner and the Head of Trade Marks at Bates Wells. As a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, he has over 20 years’ experience of assisting clients with registration and protection of their intellectual property rights. Along with the rest of Bates Wells’ trade marks team, Mathew specialises in helping charities and social enterprises with their brand protection. He has particular expertise in the management of large international trade mark portfolios, and the effective resolution of trade mark disputes without resorting to court action. He also assists conventional businesses, particularly in the technology sector. Mathew’s current and past clients include organizations as diverse as the organizing committees of various Olympic and Paralympic Games, Nokia, Sightsavers, Shelter, Adidas, GlaxoSmithKline,, Philips, Choose Love, Samaritans, the Children’s Society, the charitable organizations of members of the Royal Family, and many others.

Karli is a Partner in the Real Estate team at Bates Wells, with over 15 years’ experience in all aspects of commercial property transactions. Her work includes acquisitions and disposals for a range of clients including charities and investors as well as dealing with all aspects of landlord, tenant and property management work. Karli also deals with secured lending transactions - advising both borrowers and lenders and has also represented developers on the acquisition of sites subject to planning permission.

Laura is a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team, and specialises in advising clients on intellectual property, technology and commercial contracts. Her clients include tech start-ups and household technology brands, as well as a wide range of charities and SMEs on commercial contracts and IT outsourcing arrangements. She has particular expertise in advising on EdTech and MedTech, on contracting for sustainable supply chains, and advising clients on the ever-changing legal requirements and landscape surrounding AI and ethical AI. Examples of Laura’s recent work include advising a UK based generic medical device manufacturer on drafting and negotiating an agreement with a pharmaceutical company for the development of a generic device for use with certain medications; and supporting a medical research funding organisation on a complex negotiation of a master services agreement which involved significant consideration of both IP and quality control related matters.

Jamie is a Partner in the Real Estate department at Bates Wells, acting for commercial, charity and private clients in all aspects of transactions involving commercial property, having had extensive experience of advising on technical aspects of charity property law, including legacies and trusts. Additionally, Jamie has corporate property transaction experience including amalgamations, mergers and asset sales and purchases, as well as residential property experience. He also advises residential tenancies and public sector spin-out transactions.

Oliver is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, and advises charities, social enterprises and impact driven businesses on a wide range of legal issues, including establishment, governance and financing. Oliver particularly enjoys helping clients to structure new projects and bringing together commercial and non-profit enterprises, whether that be corporation foundations, new trading ventures, impact investment, or community finance projects.

David is a Senior Counsel in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, bringing over 25 years of legal experience to his work with purpose-led organisations. He supports charities, social enterprises, impact investors and mission-driven businesses committed to social and environmental change. David advises commercial organisations on embedding purpose into their governance and stakeholder relationships, often in the context of climate and biodiversity goals. He also works with grant-making foundations and investors to develop fairer, more balanced funding and investment terms. His practice includes advising community-focused organisations delivering renewable energy, affordable housing and community finance, as well as providing guidance on procurement, subsidy control and contracting with an emphasis on achieving social and environmental outcomes.

Maisie is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team at Bates Wells, advising clients on a wide range of property matters. She works on sales and acquisitions of freehold and leasehold property, as well as landlord and tenant issues including lease grants, assignments, underlettings and licences. She also has experience in real estate finance, acting for both lenders and borrowers. Maisie advises a diverse client base, including commercial organisations, financial institutions, charities, social enterprises and public bodies.

Matthew is a Senior Associate in the Immigration Department at Bates Wells. His work bridges personal and business immigration, advising on applications based on family relationships alongside Global Talent, investor, entrepreneur and innovator applications. Matthew has built up a particular expertise in advising employers and individuals on the implications of Brexit and the EU Settlement Scheme. Matthew has also spoken at a number of events for the Creative Industries Federation and the Immigration Industry Association and provided training for ILPA. He has provided commentary for LexisNexis and the wider media.

Paul is a Partner and Head of Employment at Bates Wells. As a specialist employment and discrimination lawyer, he advises employers and senior executives on the full range of legal issues connected with employment, including the formation and termination of the employment relationship, litigation, large-scale redundancies, TUPE, share options, and bonus disputes. Paul’s corporate and institutional clients include media organisations, financial institutions, charities (including schools), technology companies, and professional firms (including other law firms and barristers chambers). His litigation experience includes pursuing and defending cases in the Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal. Some of Paul’s work include: conducting a successful appeal in the case of Charm Offensive Productions v Lazarov; advising an organisation in respect of contractual changes, achieving savings in excess of £5m; successfully defending a household name business facing class action litigation worth in excess of £1.5m; and successfully defending an international airline facing claims of sex discrimination and unfair dismissal (before the Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal).

Smruti Jeyanandhan

Smruti is a Senior Associate in the Immigration team at Bates Wells. As a UK immigration and nationality law specialist with over 16 years' experience, she advises corporate and private clients through the complexities of business and personal immigration. Smruti has significant experience in delivering strategic solutions-focused advice to employers on sponsor licence applications and employer compliance support, with her corporate portfolio spanning from agile startups to global household names across finance, scientific research, technology, purpose-driven charities and non-profits, and the creative industries. She regularly advises on sponsored as well as self-sponsored routes and provides an end-to-end service to ensure each individual feels supported throughout the process. As the immigration landscape is ever-changing, having an in-depth understanding of the multitude of immigration routes and how they interplay, allows Smruti to provide strategic advice that considers business drivers as well as personal needs of the individual. Beyond client work, Smruti is a seasoned presenter and trainer - regularly delivering sessions to high-profile companies on sponsorship, and compliance. She also provides professional development training for fellow immigration law practitioners, helping to raise the bar across the industry.

Philip Kirkpatrick

Philip is a Partner and joint head of the Charity and Social Enterprise team a Bates Wells, specialising in charity law and acting for a wide range of charities and other not-for-profit organisations. His main areas of work include constitutional and governance, collaborative working and mergers, Charity Commission and investigations and inquiries, social finance, commercial ventures, fundraising, internal disputes.

Thea is a Partner and Head of the Charity and Social Enterprise team, and advises charities, membership organisations, sports clubs and sport’s governing bodies. Her work for charities and not-for-profits includes formation, registration of new charities, constitutional advice (including restructuring, mergers and spin-outs), as well as advice on funding, grant and fundraising agreements. Additionally, Thea’s work for sports clubs and sport’s governing bodies includes advice on charitable status and Inland Revenue CASC status – registration, restructuring, constitutional issues, contract work and funding.

Hannah is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells and advises charities and not for profit organisations on a range of charity law issues. This includes governance, grants, contracts and mergers and incorporations. She specialises in fundraising law, including in relation to corporate partnerships, challenge events, lotteries and regulatory compliance. Hannah also regularly advises charities on data protection matters in relation to direct marketing and fundraising campaigns.

Richard is a Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial team at Bates Wells. He has a broad range of commercial contract and related experience - with particular expertise in technology contracts, outsourcing, the licensing and acquisition of all forms of intellectual property and contracts in the sports, life sciences and media sectors. Richard also advises clients on related regulatory issues such as data privacy law, Bribery Act compliance and consumer law.

Rachel Mathieson

Rachel is a Partner in the Employment team at Bates Wells, and she advises household name companies, charities, partnerships and purpose driven businesses to senior executives. This work includes complex discrimination and whistleblowing matters, worker status issues, handling breach of restrictive covenants including enforcement action and managing boardroom disputes. Rachel also advises senior executives in the financial sector on new contracts including bonus provisions as well as negotiating favourable exit packages.

Lucy is a Partner in the Employment team at Bates Wells, specialising in contentious employment work with a particular emphasis on discrimination and status issues. As a regular advocate in employment tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunals, she has acted on behalf of both claimants and respondents. Examples of Lucy’s work include defending a religious Occupational Requirement for a faith-based organisation (Muhammed v Leprosy Mission International, EOR March 2010); and successfully creating the concept of associative discrimination to the Court of Justice of the European Union (Coleman v Attridge Law).

Laura is a Senior Associate in the Trademarks team of the Charity & Social Enterprise department at Bates Wells. She supports clients with the management and enforcement of their Intellectual Property portfolio and has extensive experience in advising clients across a wide range of commercial sectors that she can draw on to get the best possible outcome. Her work includes advising on Trade Mark selection and filing strategies at both a UK and global level; and prosecuting trade mark applications at the UKIPO and internationally.

Rob is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution team at Bates Wells and is experienced at dealing with litigation, adjudication, arbitration and mediation. For example, he has helped clients bring and defend claims before the County Court, High Court, in Arbitrations, Adjudications, the Charity Tribunal and other dispute resolution forums. For over 25 years, Rob has also been helping commercial organisations, charities, regulatory bodies, and individuals avoid and resolve a wide range of disputes in a commercially sensitive and pragmatic way, many of them before proceedings are commenced. His work includes tortious claims, fraud claims, intellectual property disputes, contentious trusts and legacy / probate disputes, procurement challenges, and construction disputes. Rob is also regularly appointed by the Court as a Supervising Solicitor in respect of Search Orders, Imaging Orders, and other types of High Court orders.

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Amy is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team at Bates Wells, advising companies, entrepreneurs, individuals and other organisations on a wide range of commercial property matters. Her practice covers acquisitions and disposals, leasing and occupation, as well as investment, landlord and tenant work, secured lending and development projects.

Sung-Hyui Park is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team, and the Co-Lead of Development Finance at Bates Wells. She works with investors, charities, non-profits and mission-driven businesses seeking positive social or environmental impact. Her practice focuses on equitable and innovative funding structures across impact investment and international financing, including a wide range of debt, equity, quasi-equity and blended finance arrangements. Sung-Hyui also advises major charities, NGOs and foundations on charity law, governance, regulatory matters and commercial arrangements. She additionally works with purposeful businesses, including B Corps and social enterprises, to integrate mission and purpose into their structures and operations.

Chetal is a Partner and the Head of Immigration at Bates Wells. She is recognised as a leader in UK business related immigration matters and advises businesses, senior professionals and high-net-worth individuals on UK immigration strategy, with a particular focus on complex, business-critical issues. Whether it’s the recruitment and relocation of senior leaders, navigating sponsor licence compliance during restructures, supporting film productions with cast and crew mobility or arranging business visits for C-suite executives and family offices, Chetal provides clear, pragmatic solutions tailored to each unique situation. Her particular interests lie in sponsor related matters, the post-Brexit landscape and the wider impact of the government’s ‘hostile environment’ policies. Chetal regularly conducts in-depth immigration audits and has extensive experience advising on licence suspensions and successful reinstatements. Beyond client work, Chetal regularly delivers training sessions on business immigration related topics to fellow practitioners and organisations and frequently speaks at international events. Chetal also contributes commentary on business immigration developments to the media.

Nirav is a Partner in the Corporate team at Bates Wells and co-leads the Development Finance practice. He specialises in M&A, private equity, and cross-border transactions, advising both buyers and sellers, including listed companies, private equity funds, and international foundations. His work spans a variety of sectors, with a focus on technology, medical technology, professional services, impact investing and corporate real estate. Nirav frequently advises founders and owner-managers on all stages of their business lifecycle, from fundraising and investment rounds to M&A and exits. In addition, Nirav has significant experience in corporate structuring, joint ventures, partnerships, and wealth planning, particularly for ESG-focused and purpose-driven clients.

Bob is a Consultant at Bates Wells, with extensive experience in the administration and regulation of elections, referendums and political finance. Recently retired as Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission, he has spent many years shaping policy and advising on the complexities of this sector including its interaction with data protection, advertising, lobbying, charity and public law. Bob has worked closely with government ministers, political parties and parliamentary committees, and has played key roles in the running and regulation of national referendums, as well as directly administering elections as a Returning Officer and serving as an Electoral Registration Officer.

Tom is an Associate in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells and provides a wide range of contractual, commercial and governance advice to charities, social enterprises, commercial organisations and creative businesses and individuals. He advises on a variety of commercial and charity law matters, including in relation to start ups, collaborative working and (re)structuring, funding, contractual arrangements, intellectual property (including copyright) and governance and constitutional issues.

Suhan is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, supporting charities, social enterprises, campaigners, public bodies and mission-driven businesses. He advises on charity registrations, new projects, fundraising, governance and a broad range of commercial matters, with particular expertise in public procurement and UK subsidy control. He has extensive experience guiding clients through complex regulatory issues, including Charity Commission investigations and high-profile statutory inquiries. Suhan also provides practical support during organisational crises, helping clients navigate challenging legal and regulatory environments. As a member of the firm’s Politics, Elections & Campaigning team, Suhan advises political parties, candidates, donors, charities and campaigners on election and referendum law, campaign finance, lobbying transparency and the wider rules governing political advocacy.

Lucy is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, with a broad practice covering general charity services including charity registrations, mergers and other restructures, governance and constitutional advice. She advises a range of charities and social enterprises including armed forces charities, and individuals and companies engaging in philanthropy. She has specialist expertise in inquiry and regulatory compliance cases and complex charity law issues and structures. For example, some of Lucy’s work include working with the Institute of Fundraising on establishing a new charitable Royal Charter body and restructuring their activities within the new charity, as well as advising City Bridge Trust on the establishment and funding of the London Community Response Fund.

Rebecca is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate team at Bates Wells, advising charities, responsible businesses, commercial organisations, and public bodies on all aspects of commercial property. She works on acquisitions and disposals, lease negotiations for landlords and tenants, and the property elements of mergers, acquisitions, and public sector spin-outs. Rebecca also advises on property legacies, technical charity property matters, and the provision of loans and grants by banks and charitable funders.

Paul is a Partner in the Employment team at Bates Wells who has spent over 20 years helping hundreds of charities, purpose driven commercial organisations, regulators and membership bodies successfully navigate challenging and strategically important workplace issues. His work includes both contentious and non-contentious employment work, including those relating to recruitment, employee engagement, change programmes, investigations, discrimination, grievances, performance management, disciplinaries, dismissals, whistleblowing, tribunals, restrictive covenants, TUPE and data protection.

Lawrence Simanowitz

Lawrence is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, specialising in advising UK and international charities, and arts and media organisations, not-for-profits and social enterprises. This involves advice on their establishment, regulation (including regulatory investigations), campaigning, governance, mergers and incorporations, fundraising and financing and commercial agreements. Examples of his work include advising RSPCA on its governance and reorganisation of 160 branches; advising several major UK clients on their funding agreements with public authorities and corporate partners; and helping to establish the Elders Foundation as a UK charity and advising on its international structure and key strategic and legal issues. Lawrence also acts as an external counsel to several of the largest US not for profit organisations. Additional areas of expertise include data protection and information law, intellectual property and IT – advising clients on its rebranding, licensing and assigning copyright and trade mark rights (including a recent rebrand of a major international aid and development charity and advising leading national disability charity on dispute over the ownership of its database).

Louise is a Senior Associate in the Public and Regulatory team at Bates Wells, advising both public sector and commercial organisations across sectors including technology, education, health, retail, entertainment, and sport. She draws on experience as an in-house lawyer for regulated entities to provide practical, strategic legal advice tailored to clients’ operational needs. Louise’s work spans public law, regulatory investigations, governance reviews, internal audits, and policy development, including drafting rules, regulations, procedures, and guidance. She also advises on judicial review, procurement litigation, and participation in public inquiries. Louise has a particular interest in emerging regulation, with expertise in tech, content platforms, and social media, and supports clients in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and consultations.

Matthew is a Partner in the Public and Regulatory team at Bates Wells, with 30 years’ experience advising public and private bodies, regulators, charities, professional associations, and individuals across sectors including government, education, health, environment, and media. He has acted in complex judicial reviews, statutory appeals, and human rights cases, and is a recognised expert in Public Inquiries and Inquests, having worked on high-profile matters including Grenfell, Savile, Equitable Life, Bloody Sunday, and the Westminster and London Bridge terror attacks. Matthew also advises on public and regulatory law issues, including policy modernisation, statutory interpretation, information law, and Parliamentary Select Committee matters. He has extensive experience drafting primary and secondary legislation, statutory instruments, regulatory rules, and legislative amendments, combining legal expertise with practical insight into government and policy processes.

Laura is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells and is the head of the firm’s expert charitable trusts special interest group and joint head of the firm’s Legacies cross-departmental team. She advises on charity law, governance and structuring issues, with particular specialism in advising on technical charity law issues and complex structures including charitable trusts, endowments, Royal Charter bodies, statutory charities and property holding structures. Laura was also closely involved in the Law Commission’s consultation and subsequent stages which led to the Charities Act 2022 both as a member of the Charity Law Association working party and for Bates Wells. This included making a submission to and appearing before the House of Lords committee considering the draft Bill. Her recent work includes assisting a Royal Charter body with significant changes to its charter and bylaws, working on a governance review and restructuring of a charity network, assisting a University with several major gifts and endowments and supporting a local community group with challenging a scheme made by the Charity Commission relating to charity land in the Tribunal.

Simon is a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, and helps charities, social businesses, mutuals and not-for-profits achieve their aims. He works closely with clients and colleagues in providing a wide range of advisory and transactional support, with common areas of advice including structuring and governance, financing and investment, collaboration and mergers, campaigning and advocacy. Simon also leads our specialist elections, public affairs and campaigning law team, which helps political parties, candidates, donors, charities, advocacy organisations and campaigners navigate the complex regulatory environment that can be relevant to their electoral and policy goals, including election law, lobbying law and content regulation.

Ben is a Senior Associate in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells. He advises all manner of organisations within this sector, ranging from large international grant-giving organisations to small sports clubs. Ben’s particular focus is on sports-related clients, including clubs, corporate foundations, national governing bodies, grant-giving organisations and many more. His areas of expertise are diverse and range from governance, corporate partnerships and funding through to intellectual property issues. Ben frequently advises on IP issues in contracts and grants, and he is also passionate about commercial business with a purpose beyond profit.

Mark is a Partner in the Real Estate team at Bates Wells, acting for commercial, charity and private clients in all aspects of commercial property, including sales and purchases, landlord and tenant work, lending and property management. Examples of his work include the acquisition of a development site for the BFI, refinancing of the Eden project, taking a lease of London headquarters for an international energy company at an annual rent of £1.5m and acting in connection with leases of offices at 30 St Mary Axe (the Gherkin) and the Shard.

Jean is a Partner and the Head of Education at Bates Wells, and provides legal and strategic advice to charities, social businesses and educational institutions. This includes a variety of commercial, charity law, governance, education law and safeguarding issues. Jean regularly provides training on charity, safeguarding and education law, participating in internal and external events and has been interviewed by The Times and BBC London News to give legal commentary.

Rayhaan Vankalwala

Rayhaan is a Senior Associate in the Data and Privacy team within the Charity and Social Enterprise department at Bates Wells, advising UK and international clients on a wide range of data protection and privacy issues. He supports organisations with GDPR compliance, including privacy notices, data processing agreements, internal policies, subject access requests, and breach management. Rayhaan also advises on data protection aspects of corporate transactions, including due diligence and warranties, and assesses privacy implications for projects and technologies from both legal and broader privacy perspectives.

Livia is a Senior Associate in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Bates Wells, where she advises charities, social enterprises and non-profits on governance, formation, restructures, conversions, and contractual matters. She has a particular focus on intellectual property within the Culture + Creative sector, advising on IP licensing, assignments, and related charity law considerations, and is expanding her work on legal issues arising from the development and launch of digital products and apps. As an active member of the firm’s faith group, Livia regularly supports faith-based organisations with registration, trading, restructures, and embedding their mission and values into governing documents and operations.

Olivia Woodward

Olivia is a Solicitor in the purpose and impact team of the Charity and Social Enterprise department at Bates Wells. Her clients include charities, corporate and family foundations, not-for-profits and purpose-driven businesses. Olivia advises on a range of legal issues including structuring, charity registration, incorporation, safeguarding, governance, grant-making, charity conversions and general charity and commercial law matters. This can include working with directors at the initial incorporation stage to support them on choosing the right structure, followed by ensuring they have a strong framework and relationship in place to manage the organisation’s relationship with related entities and its policies up to the operational side of the entity and winding-down. Recent examples of her work include supporting the Royal Institute of British Architects with a detailed review of its structure and both its UK and overseas governance arrangements; and providing extensive advice to Eclipse Theatre on its wind down and related stakeholder agreements.

Hannah is a Senior Associate in the Employment team at Bates Wells, advising both employers and employees on complex workplace issues with a particular focus on dispute resolution and employment tribunal litigation. She has acted in a number of high-profile and sensitive matters, including the landmark Dewhurst v CitySprint gig-economy case, securing reinstatement for a senior banking executive in a significant breach-of-contract dispute, and advising on sexual-harassment complaints in the #MeToo context. Hannah also has extensive experience representing clients at tribunal and appellate levels, including defending whistleblowing and discrimination claims for major charities, cultural institutions and international businesses, as well as pursuing high-value group actions.