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Joseph is an experienced charity law and governance specialist, advising regularly on contentious, transactional, and standalone advisory matters. He works with charities and other non-profits on governance, mergers and other forms of restructuring, regulatory compliance and tax, with a particular focus on complex issues that raise unusual or novel points of law and regulatory practice.

Joseph's practice spans the UK and international charity sectors, including schools and higher education institutions, cultural organisations, livery companies, grant-making charities, sports governing bodies, membership associations, UK operating charities and international NGOs.

He advises these organisations on a wide range of charity law, tax and governance matters, including day-to-day and contentious governance issues, transactional work (including significant charity mergers), standalone technical questions (often involving novel or unusual points of law), and regulatory compliance.

Joseph has extensive experience supporting organisations in their engagement with the Charity Commission and other regulators, including on registration and in the context of regulatory investigations. He has a particular focus on dealing with complex points of law and regulatory practice, including consent applications for property disposals (including in the context of the development of charity land) and applications made under the ex gratia payments regime. He also has experience engaging with HMRC, both in the context of recognition applications and investigations into clients' tax affairs.

Joseph adopts a creative, collaborative approach to working with charities and non-profits, delivering advice thoughtfully and in a timely manner, always bearing in mind the particular pressures faced by purpose-driven organisations.

Work highlights

Acting for an international climate change NGO on a significant transaction involving the transfer of assets and employees from several jurisdictions.

Acting for a UK charity in the context of a Charity Commission regulatory investigation.

Advising a UK charity on the interpretation of its charitable purposes.

Acting for a non-charitable organisation on the terms of a number of its historic charitable trusts, including in relation to how these might be consolidated, their purposes amended, and registered with the Charity Commission.

Memberships and affiliations

Charity Law Association

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