Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Editorial

Other

All countries

Charities and not-for-profit

1
- Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
2
3
- Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
- Hempsons
- Schofield Sweeney
- Taylor Bracewell
- Ward Hadaway

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.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WHO REPRESENTS WHO SITE

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.

Interview with...

Law firm partners and practice heads explain how their firms are adapting to clients' changing needs

Paul King

CEO, April King

Jobs available in Yorkshire and the Humber

GC Diversity and Inclusion Report

In partnership with...

'Ultimately there are as many barriers as you put up yourself, you can put up being female and black as an excuse or use it as a weapon of defiance.'

SANDIE OKORO, GENERAL COUNSEL, HSBC GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

View more interviews from GC Magazine's Diversity and Inclusion Report UK

International comparative guides

Giving the in-house community greater insight to the law and regulations in different jurisdictions.

Select Practice Area

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

DISMISSAL AT NISSAN AND WORKPLACE CRIME PREVENTION

The sacking of Nissan’s high-profile chairman may have beenproof that nobody is infallible. But Nicola Sharp argues that it should also beseen as an indicator that no company can be considered safe from wrongdoing.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
Applying for A Sole Representative Visa

Regardless of the Brexit outcome, the United Kingdom will remain one of the world most powerful economies. With a market of 65 million people and close ties with Europe, many overseas-based organisations look to establishing a subsidiary or branch office in Britain.

- A Y & J Solicitors
BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS IN MORE THAN ONE JURISDICTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING A JOINED-UP DEFENCE AP

Aziz Rahman considers the Ericsson bribery investigation and outlines how best to respond if you are investigated by more than one law enforcement agency

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
Have Changes to The Spouse/Civil Partnership Minimum Income Threshold Made A Difference?

The plight of those denied a UK Spouse/CivilPartnership Visa or a Spouse/Civil Partnership Visa extension continues to feature in the headlines. In August 2018, the Guardian reported on one young woman, driven to attempt suicide after her fiancé, an Albanian national, was not permitted to enter the country. The Home Office ruled Paige Smith, a British Citizen, did not meet the £18,600 income threshold. It later transpired the Home Office lost a crucial payslip proving that Ms Smith met the criteria, a document the department had been sent four times by a Solicitor and Ms Smith’s MP. The appeal Judge took ten minutes to rule the Visa should have been approved; however, the couple still had to wait two months for the Home Office to declare it would not appeal the decision.

- A Y & J Solicitors
BRIBERY AND THE RISK IT POSES TO TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES

With Microsoft’s activities in Hungary having come underinvestigation, Nicola Sharp explains why those at the cutting edge oftechnology need to be aware of the age-old dangers of bribery.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
Visa options for international students to stay in the UK

What are the immigration options for Tier 4 visa students to stay in the UK after they graduate?

- DavidsonMorris
Three Reasons Why Your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa May Be Refused

A Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa provides a gateway to entry and settlement in the UK for non-EEA individuals who wish to launch a start-up or invest in and become a director of a UK company running the business. There are advantages to entering Britain on the entrepreneur visa route; an applicant can bring their dependent family members with them, and there is also an opportunity to fast-track settlement applications if certain criteria are met.

- A Y & J Solicitors
Our growth continues with an office move for the team in Leeds

July 24, 2018

- Stowe Family Law
Four Law Society Excellence Award nominations for Moore Blatch

Moore Blatch has been nominated for four awards in this year’s Law Society Excellence Awards .

- Moore Blatch LLP
OBTAINING A DPA

With the SFO laying down tough conditions to those seeking adeferred prosecution agreement (DPA), Aziz Rahman examines what companies need todo to have a chance of securing one.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK