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Find out which law firms are representing which Charities and not-for-profit clients in Yorkshire and the Humber using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

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The 'professional and knowledgeable' charity and social economy team at Wrigleys Solicitors LLP attracts praise for its 'good-value, pointed advice'. The 'excellent' department handles charity governance, issues surrounding corporate foundations, charity mergers and property transactions, and is highlighted for its 'good specialist knowledge of social investment and finance', an area led by Malcolm Lynch who is ably supported by recently promoted partner Peter Parker. Elizabeth Wilson heads the charity property group and has particular expertise handling ecclesiastical property matters. Wilson recently represented a Catholic international religious order on a £2.25m sale of a convent. In another work highlight, a team led by Tim Wrigley and Chris Billington was instructed on the transfer of an entire parish from the Ampleforth Abbey Trustees to the local Diocese, including all parish properties, the parish shop and all assets, liabilities and obligations. The team also has significant experience acting for health based charities, and recently advised Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation and Leeds Hospital Charitable Foundation on the process of re-categorising and rationalising a significant amount of funds ahead of the charity's conversion to independent status.

The charities team at Addleshaw Goddard is regularly instructed on matters ranging from formation and governance of charities to investigations of organisations . The team also acts for banks and other commercial clients entering into arrangements with charities. +Pervinder Kaur heads up the practice and has particular expertise assisting charities facing practical problems, including funding and solvency issues, Charity Commission investigations, and discussions with HMRC and other public bodies. The team continues to act for the trustees of Bedingfield's Trust on administrative matters. In addition, the practice is representing the NFU Charitable Trust. Another key name to note is Yorke Eaton, who often represents charity clients on a range of matters from registration to property transactions, as well as providing ongoing ad hoc advice.

Irwin Mitchell's 'strong team' handles the full spectrum of charity issues. Singled out for his combination of 'in-depth knowledge' of charity law and 'commercial experience', Laurence Gavin heads the team and is regularly instructed by charities, charity group structures and academy schools on matters of governance, risk, funding and trustee duties. In a recent highlight, the group acted for Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust on the £7m purchase of Wentworth Woodhouse, the largest private residence in the UK. This required cross-departmental expertise from the firm's property and finance teams, as well as complex charity law application. Additionally, the practice advised Boccia England on the implementation of governance requirements imposed by the code of sports governance issues by Sport England and UK Sport.

Lupton Fawcett's charities and social enterprise group attracts praise for its 'fast response times' and 'excellent value for money'. The team has significant strength in ecclesiastical law and represents the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance, Province & Diocese of York and the Diocese of Sodor and Man, on several matters including providing data protection advice. With capabilities across the firm's three Yorkshire office, the practice is led by York-based Caroline Mockford and includes Leeds-based Peter Foskett and Louise Connacher. Also recommended is senior solicitor Lara Jones who 'combines sensitivity with first-rate legal analysis', and focuses on governance, restructures, mergers and charity regulatory matters.

Managing partner Peter McCormick leads the charities practice at McCormicks and continues to act as trustee for several organisations. Leveraging the firm's strength in the sport sector, the practice's clients include the Premier League Charitable Fund and the Football Foundation. The team has recently advised the former on several matters including on a sponsorship agreement with Barclays Bank. Clients also include Harrogate International Festivals, the John Strutt Centre for Parrot Conservation and the War Memorials Trust. Head of private client group Elaine Lightfoot regularly advises charity clients and is a key name to note, in addition to Heather Roberts for property advice.

Pinsent Masons LLP's charities practice has expertise advising university clients on charity law issues. In this sector the team represents University of Sheffield, Coventry University and the University of Sussex. It is also instructed by a London-based Russell Group university on a shared equity scheme, to provide financial support to staff to enable the purchase of homes within a reasonable distance of the university. The team also assisted an international insurance company setting up a charity to hold shares in a group which, under French regulatory law, the company could not itself own. Chris Thomas took on the role of head of the practice from former partner Janet Hoskin, who stepped down to the position of consultant.

The 'outstanding' charities and social enterprise team at Rollits LLP attracts praise for 'taking the time to really understand the client and the vision' to deliver 'extremely high quality advice'. The 'slick and effective' practice is headed up by Gerry Morrison, who has expertise across the full spectrum of charity law and governance. With Morrison taking the lead, the group were instructed by Hull UK City of Culture 2017 on a range of matters, this included advising on all aspects of the legacy organisation including a potential TUPE transfer of staff. The team also acted for Endeavour Health Charity Trust on the creation of a new community interest company, as part of the Discovery East London Programme aiming to improve healthcare. The department also advises a number of education sector trusts.

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP's charities unit regularly acts for local and regional not-for-profit organisations on governance and compliance matters. With a strong combination of charity and corporate law experience, associate Daniel Hammond heads up the team which regularly advises clients on establishing charitable structures, including successful registration of organisations initially refused charity status; winding-up charities and transferring charitable activities. A multidisciplinary team continues to advise The Viola Trust on a range of matters including compliance, shipping and maritime law, and implementation of the GDPR and its application to charities. In another work highlight, the practice leveraged the firm's renewable energy sector expertise in setting up the not-for-profit regional development organisation, Grimsby Renewables Partnership, which included drafting bespoke articles of association on incorporation.

Highlighted for '>good sector knowledge' and 'first class response times' Hempsons' charities and social enterprise team offers 'an excellent service' that is 'good value for money'. London-based Ian Hempseed heads up the national practice which includes Faisal Dhalla in the firm's Harrogate office. With an 'excellent reputation for health and social care', the team is instructed by a significant amount of organisations in this sector. It is advising Syngentis, a health work and community interest company, on the winding up of operations; and advising Grace’s Place Children’s Hospice on its merger with Forget Me Not Hospice. Clients in the region include Yorkshire Cancer Research, York Conservation Trust and Autism Plus.

The charities practice at Schofield Sweeney is spread across the firm's Leeds and Bradford offices. In the Bradford office, Helen Hirst (who heads the education and charities team) and Andrew Hurst regularly advise academies and independent schools on charitable and governance matters. Leeds-based founding partner Chris Schofield is acting for Paces Sheffield, a charity helping disabled children, on the review of its articles of association and governance arrangements. Other charity and not-for-profit clients include Leeds Mencap, the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust.

The charities and not-for-profit department at Taylor Bracewell offers a 'a dedicated and fit for purpose service'. The team, led by the 'excellent' Phil Crawley, has particular expertise advising school trusts and academies on conversion and governance matters. Beyond the education sector, Sharon Beck led a team which acted for the Crosspool and District Youth Sports Trust to provide remuneration to the trustee handling the day to operational activity of the charity in a way compliant with charity law.

The charities and social enterprise team at Ward Hadaway frequently acts for trusts, charities and not-for-profit organisations in the real estate and property sectors. Jonathan Dickson acted for the Canal & River Trust on a bridge crossing agreement and major sewer agreement for a development including a major highways bridge, two private bridges, 2500 homes and two schools. The Leeds-based team also benefits from being able to leverage the firm's Newcastle-based charities group.

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