Charity & Community Lawyers
As one of the leading charity firms in the country, advising charities, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations lies at the heart of our practice.
Our reputation is founded on years of experience acting for some of the biggest operational and grant-making charities in the UK, as well as the promoters of new charities, philanthropists and corporates looking to establish charitable foundations.
We build deep and lasting relationships with our clients, which enable us to identify and anticipate the issues that matter most to them. We pride ourselves on providing an expert, timely and cost-effective service, and make sure we are always approachable, accessible and responsive.
Our charity practice encompasses the full range of legal matters which charities and not-for-profits encounter, from day-to-day to "once in a lifetime" events. We provide guidance on diverse operational issues, including how to manage charity property, endowments and investments; the best way to license and exploit assets and rights, charitable trading and tax, grant-making and social investment and fundraising. We also work with individual and corporate philanthropists wishing to establish new charities or structure their charitable giving in other ways.
With many charities’ operations and fundraising spanning international borders, we frequently provide support in relation to cross-border and international charity work.
We have extensive experience of forming new charities, including those with more novel purposes or complex structures, and of restructuring existing charities where their current arrangements are no longer fit for purpose. We have steered many of our clients through periods of significant change and have advised them on key strategic decisions such as merger, de-merger and partnering. If a crisis strikes, we are a safe pair of hands and our clients trust us to see them through even the most testing of circumstances.
Our lawyers are highly regarded within the sector, and we are regularly invited to sit on government advisory panels and sector working parties which formulate and review policy and legislation. In addition, we maintain strong working relationships with the Charity Commission and other regulators. With this perspective we are perfectly placed to advise you on how the changing legal and regulatory outlook may influence your future activities.
Our clients benefit from the experience not just of our recognised charity law experts, but also from their colleagues in every area of our practice. When the work demands it, we are able to draw together a team of experts from across the firm, providing you with a complete package of legal support, whether you need specialist advice in any area from intellectual property to employment. We present complex legal solutions in an accessible and practical manner, giving you sound legal and commercial advice tailored to your particular needs.