The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > London > Charities and not-for-profit

Bates Wells has a large and dedicated charities practice that handles the full array of matters. The first-class team has recently been advising on various safeguarding matters as well as on some of the most complex and high-profile matters for household name organisations. The department also continues to advise many important charities on highly confidential pre-investigation compliance cases as well as investigations by the Charity Commission. The well-regarded Philip Kirkpatrick heads the charities and social enterprises department which includes: Rosamund McCarthy, who has a high profile in the charity sector acting for top 100 charities on governance and complex regulatory matters; Lawrence Simanowitz, who has a strong presence in the environment sector; newly-promoted senior partner Stephanie Biden, who is 'thorough, hardworking and efficient'; Thea Longley, who covers start-ups, constitutional advice (including restructuring), and governance reviews; Abbie Rumbold, who specialises in establishing charities created as spin-outs from the public sector; 'bright and astute' Laura Soley, who leads the firm’s expert trusts and legacies group; Erica Crump, who leads the culture and creative cross-departmental team; senior associate Pippa Garland; and associate Lucy Rhodes. Louise Haran, Victoria Schneider and Mathew Healey were all promoted to the partnership.

Anne-Marie Piper leads a strong team at Farrer & Co that has a superb client list of some of the largest and best-known UK and international charitable organisations. The group advises on the full array of matters from transactional and structuring advice through to innovative charity finance matters. It has also been advising a growing number of clients facing complex and mission-critical issues including regulatory interventions, governance failures, and corporate insolvency. It has a dedicated safeguarding unit and has immense expertise in working with major cultural organisations that are charities - it has for many years acted for a significant number of the country’s national museums and galleries. It also acts for a sizeable number of educational and religious charities. The team includes: Sam Macdonald, who advises clients on all aspects of UK charity law and related tax matters; James Carleton, who routinely advises institutional charities with significant investment assets; Elizabeth Jones, who advises charities on constitutional and governance matters; and James Maloney, who was promoted to partner in May 2018.

The charities group at BDB Pitmans is led by Penny Chapman and encompasses a core team of charity law specialists who are ably supported by other departments at the firm. The broad practice is adept at dealing with a myriad of complex issues, from reputation management matters, through to philanthropy and legacy disputes. Jonathan Brinsden has considerable expertise in a number of specialised areas including cross-border transactions, social impact investment, charity sector collaborations with the private sector, as well as NHS charity regulation. Simon Weil advises on philanthropy and the resolution of potentially contentious issues arising out of wills, trusts and the co-ownership of property for charities and individuals. Nicola Evans is also recommended.

Under the leadership of Lynn Povey at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP the team continues to represent high-profile national and international charities on the full range of legal issues including fundraising, data protection and employment matters. The team’s private wealth team also assists with various issues such as the establishment of charitable trusts and other philanthropic ventures. The group routinely advises private clients on making large charitable donations and on the establishment of charitable foundations. Mike Scott acts for a large number of charities that are governed by Royal Charter. Newly promoted partner Sarah Rowley advises on governance structures and on other matters such as the relationship between charities and commercial partners.

With Ian Hempseed at the helm, Hempsons provides the full spectrum of legal services to charities from corporate and social care matters through to employment and real estate issues. Hempseed also works closely with organisations and entrepreneurs in developing appropriate legal structures for social enterprises. It is a national offering that is skilled at advising on a broad range of complex and high-value projects and cases. The group also acts for many Royal Charter corporations which are charities and is experienced at dealing with governance reviews and at liaising with the Privy Council to obtain consents to any constitutional changes. Nadeem Azhar is also recommended.

Russell-Cooke LLP is particularly recommended for its work at advising on charity mergers and the restructuring of charities. Under the leadership of Andrew Studd the practice is increasingly becoming known for its work at supporting charities in financial difficulties. It also continues to advise charities with unusual governance structures such as charities governed by Acts of Parliament, Royal Charter and Charity Commission Schemes. Chris Rowse is experienced at advising on international projects and James Sinclair Taylor is another name to note for his work on sensitive contractual, funding and risk management issues.

VWV acts for a large number of educational charities acting for over 30 universities and 750 charitable independent schools. Other specialisms lie in advising charities in the healthcare, religious and arts sectors. In addition the experienced team does a significant amount of work for high-profile individuals in relation to their personal charitable work. The team advises on the full gamut of issues from governance to fundraising and insolvency issues and is also skilled at advising public bodies (such as local authorities) on charity law and charity trusteeship. Con Alexander is a key contact and his work includes advising on major transactions, endowment funds and fundraising issues. Shivaji Shiva joined the Birmingham office from Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP.

Winckworth Sherwood LLP acts for the full range of charitable organisations, from education to housing, through to arts and leisure. The team has particular skill in the area of the transformation of public sector services into charitable organisations. Joanna Bussell advises on a wide range of charitable issues including the creation of new charities, charity mergers and governance issues. Bussell is particularly recommended for her work on the establishment of not-for-organisations to work with local authorities. Aiden Hargreaves-Smith has a particular focus on ecclesiastical charities including diocesan boards of finance, individual parishes and clergy as well as bishops and cathedral chapters. Alison Talbot and Phillip Collins recently joined the team from Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP.

Alison Paines at Withers LLP is renowned for her expertise in governance and regulatory investigations, as well as her role in advising healthcare charities. Chris Priestley is the legal adviser to many of the largest operating charities in the country and is well known for his work on governance, mergers, commercial and fundraising projects for charities. The department is regularly involved in large cross-border matters and has been carving out niche expertise in cryptocurrency as well as advising a number of clients on the introduction of blockchain technology.

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP has considerable expertise in providing governance advice to charities both nationally and internationally. In addition, the team has vast experience of advising on charity bond issues, community share issues and other investment by social investment intermediaries and on social impact bonds. Other areas of expertise include advising numerous corporate foundations on issues of independence and their relationships with corporate donors. The department acts for a significant number of ecclesiastical and faith-based charities as well as health-based charities. Head of department Malcolm Lynch leads a team that also advises students’ unions. Sylvie Nunn is another known name and has a broad range of experience. Nunn leads a team that advises museums and stately homes on matters such as restructuring, chattels, loans of collections and permanent endowments. Natalie Johnson was promoted to the partnership.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is particularly known for its faith charity work as well as for its charity funding expertise. The firm has strengthened its national presence by opening a Manchester office. The team has also recruited the ex-head of legal at Barnardo’s Natalie Barbosa, and it is enjoying a growing reputation for its work in the health and social care sectors. It continues to advance social businesses and also has strength in the education and social housing sectors. Shivaji Shiva left the firm to join VWV. Dominic Curran now leads the firm’s work nationally for all charities, and his team works for national high street charities as well as national faith charities.

Blake Morgan LLP has offices in various locations throughout England and Wales and services charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises across London and beyond. The group advises on a broad spectrum of charity law issues such as charity legacies, safeguarding and charity retail. Other areas of expertise include advising on joint ventures and collaborations between charities and private and public sector organisations. Legal director Ben Brice heads the team and is experienced at dealing with the Charity Commission and the Privy Council.

Fieldfisher has particular expertise in advising on the recognition of overseas charities as UK charities. Graeme Nuttall is a dual-qualified solicitor and chartered tax adviser and heads the firm’s charities group. Penny Wotton is another key figure and heads the private client team. Wotton has acted for a wide range of charities from healthcare and investment regulatory bodies through to royal charter bodies, charitable NHS trusts and other educational and religious charities. She has also advised on charitable projects for broadcasters, major corporations and in the energy sector.

Under the direction of Fiona Smith at Forsters LLP the team advises individual philanthropists, charities and other not-for-profit organisations, both in the UK and worldwide, on diverse matters from setting up a tailor-made charitable vehicle, to partnering with organisations that offer donor advised funds. The group is increasingly advising clients on involving the next generation in their philanthropic endeavours and on the tax implications of giving to charity. It is also advising on issues surrounding the fiscal efficiency of cross-border donations. The team has considerable expertise in the establishment of dual UK/US charities and also acts for trustees of charities. Other strengths lie in advising on the giving of charitable donations through Zakat.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP is best known for its work on advising corporate foundations, media-related fundraising charities as well as subsidised arts organisations. It also continues to advise a number of new charities on a diverse range of matters with David Scott and Colin Howes at the helm. Scott’s practice spans from advising well-known charities to advising high-net-worth individuals on their personal philanthropy. Howes provides advice in relation to various charities’ ongoing governance and compliance as well broader legal issues.

Hunters Law LLP acts for a broad range of charities, schools, sports clubs, humanitarian organisations, religious societies, staff associations, trade unions and many other not-for-profit organisations across the charity sector. It advises on a full spectrum of issues facing charities such as governance and regulation, through to fundraising and data protection issues. It has also been advising various new European-based corporations and foundations on diverse matters as well as international charities and NGOs with operations throughout Africa. Paul Almy heads the team and Wilfrid Vernor-Miles is also recommended.

Under the guidance of Mark Hawes at Bristows LLP the team is best known for its experience in advising charities that are established by Royal Charter, particularly those charities that operate in the fields of science, technology and engineering. It is also building up a reputation for acting for medical research charities and arts and cultural charities. Many of its clients operate internationally. Robert Bond is also well-placed to advise charities on a myriad of data protection issues.

The charities group at Druces LLP is drawn from lawyers across a range of disciplines, bringing together specialisms in taxation, employment and other areas, who together have expertise in charity law. Richard Monkcom is at the helm. The group has a particular focus on advising clients on constitutional issues, commercial and publishing agreements as well as the taxation of the not-for-profit sector. It acts for more than 50 charities with sector strength in animal, medical, religious and educational. The team is also skilled at acting for charities where an estate with charitable beneficiaries is disputed. Helen Freely is well-regarded and often advises charities when they are just starting off.

The team at Macfarlanes LLP is led by Jonathan Conder and Nicholas Harries who are both partners in the private client team. They have significant experience of advising philanthropic individuals, families and institutional clients, as well as high-profile operational charities, and are active in many charitable sectors from education and healthcare through to sustainable development. The group is well-equipped to handle complex transactional work that requires both charity law advice and expertise in other areas such as commercial, real estate or structuring advice about how to structure the trading and development activities of the charity.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP acts for major charitable funds but the main focus of its charity practice is on large charities that raise funds from contracts or from charging the beneficiaries of their services. The group is well equipped to advise charities on all areas from commercial property through to procurement, pensions and tax under the guidance of Ian Davies. It is also skilled at advising charities and social enterprises on their relationships with trustees. The team is well placed to advise clients on multiple regulatory regimes such as registration with the Charity Commission in addition to other regulators such as the CQC and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well equipped to service clients nationally through its various offices and also has an international reach through its transatlantic partner. Key strengths include advising on regulatory matters in addition to mergers, hive offs, fundraising and on other group structures for charities. It is also skilled at providing governance advice on constitutional matters. Key sector expertise lies in education, health and care as well as religious charities where it particularly advises Roman Catholic charities and charities in the Jewish community. Jo Coleman and Emma Moody are highly regarded.

Ashfords LLP acts for a significant number of third sector organisations on a broad range of issues including reputational management matters. John Toth co-heads the team and advises on various regulatory and governance issues for charities. Toth routinely advises new charities on their incorporation as entities or trusts and on community interest companies. Kerry Morgan-Gould is the joint head and advises household named charities on a broad range of contentious legacy issues.

Boodle Hatfield LLP is a known name for its work with charities and individuals in their philanthropic pursuits. It is also well-regarded for its advice to corporate clients and family offices on various ways to structure philanthropic initiatives, and in other areas such as the establishment of new charities. Increasingly the firm is advising on alternative not-for-profit structures. Andrea Zavos heads the team that includes Eleanor Sepanski, who is skilled at dealing with governance issues, philanthropy and assisting companies with its CSR planning.

Edwin Coe LLP is increasingly working on philanthropy matters by helping to structure and establish new charities for private individuals and families. The firm is adept at providing cross-border trust and tax advice on the establishment of new charitable structures and in providing ongoing operational advice to charities. With David Goepel at the helm the practice advises international pan-continental educational initiatives, national charities, and professional governing and regulatory bodies, in addition to helping philanthropic organisations that are set up by private clients. Alison Broadberry is also recommended.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP acts for over 250 charities. It has particular expertise in advising clients in the education, health, regeneration, mental health and grant-giving sectors. Glynne Stanfield and Paul Pugh are key members of the team that has significant expertise in advising research institutions and grant makers on issues ranging from governance, international giving, social investments and tax. Legal director Stephen O’Reilly is another name to note for his work on diverse matters such as the release of permanent endowment restrictions through to payments to trustees.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP frequently acts for charities, NGOs, foundations and social enterprises as well as multinational corporate clients in relation to their charitable and philanthropic activities. The charities group spans all practice areas including tax, trusts, real estate and employment and its work typically has an international dimension. It is regularly instructed to advise local and international charities and foundations on their governance, structures and processes in addition to their social investments. Richard Norridge heads the team.

Mills & Reeve LLP works with universities, independent schools, international charities and some of the biggest names in social finance as well as government departments. The national team under the leadership of Neil Burton has built up specialisms in various areas such as philanthropy and legacies, sport and religious charities as well as health charities. Other areas of expertise lie in education and research organisations as well as livery companies.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP acts for a broad range of national and local charitable clients including some household names as well as higher education and independent schools. Other clients include literary charities, animal charities, disability charities and registered social landlords. Henrietta Mason  now heads the team as Alison Talbot left the firm to join Winckworth Sherwood LLP. The practice has access to sector expertise across the firm, ranging from being able to advise charities on governance matters, to legacy disputes and employment matters.