The charities practice at Muckle LLP has particular expertise in community sports charities, educational charities and arts, culture and heritage charities, and is adept at all aspects of charity law and regulation, such as mergers and restructurings, governance issues and constitutional reviews, charity regulation and compliance, complex trust law issues and operational support in trading, fundraising and commercial contracting. Samantha Pritchard leads the team and focuses on mergers, collaborations, governance issues, and operational and charity commission compliance matters. Joanne Davison specialises in mergers, restructurings and joint ventures, while Chris Hook has particular expertise in the community sports sector. Alison Jones covers data protection work for charity clients.
Charities and not-for-profit in North
Muckle LLP
Practice head(s):
Samantha Pritchard
Other key lawyers:
Joanne Davison; Chris Hook; Alison Jones
Testimonials
‘Samantha Pritchard demonstrated emotional intelligence as well as high levels of legal knowledge. Samantha showed a firm grasp of the organisation’s position and security as we moved into signing the merger agreement.’
‘Joanne Davison has been incredibly supportive in advising our Education Charity on some important constitutional changes.’
‘We have worked with Muckle for a couple of years and very much value their expertise and timely support on a range of different issues, everything from governance to contracts to data protection and management. They are very responsive, professional and clearly have a wealth of expertise across charity-relevant legal areas.’
‘The team at Muckle truly understand the charity sector and this makes them stand out from other firms. Their knowledge of both the nuances in charity law and how it interacts with other governance related matters, enabled our leadership team to make informed decisions about our charity merger. The approach from Muckle was considerably more appropriate in the circumstances, which emphasised their expertise in the charity sector.’
‘Chris Hook and Alison Jones both worked tirelessly on our case. We valued their patience, deep understanding of the sector, flexibility, cultural-nous and expertise.’
‘I have worked with Samantha Pritchard and Alison Jones – I find their approach straightforward, comprehensive and friendly.’
‘Samantha Pritchard is expert, calm, approachable and able to explain complex documents clearly and concisely. When the time came that I needed professional advice in this sector I could think of no-one better.’
Key clients
The Football Foundation
parkrun Global
The Premier League Charitable Fund
Education Development Fund
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund
Rape Crisis England and Wales
The Alnwick Garden Trust
Citizens Advice Gateshead
Age UK North Tyneside
Citizens Advice Somerset
Dame Allan’s Schools
St Cuthbert’s Care
The Auckland Project
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
Transform Trade (Traidcraft Exchange)
Zurbaran Trust
Children’s Heart Unit Fund
Key Fund Investments
Grey’s College Junior Common Room
Newcastle Students’ Union
Work highlights
- Advised the Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund on its portfolio of endowments.
- Advised on the merger of four charities to form Citizens Advice Somerset.
- Advised The Alnwick Garden Trust on the development and launch of Lilidorei children’s play village.
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's clients encompass grant making foundations and organisations, private and public operating charities, care and education providers, religious bodies and scientific research organisations. The group advises across the full life cycle of client operations, including planning and establishment issues, mergers and wind downs. The team is led in Newcastle by ‘stand out’ partner Emma Moody, who assists charities with a wide range of transactional and regulatory matters, including mergers, restructurings and commercial contracts, and strategic governance and compliance matters. Managing associate Sally Cooper specialises in constitutional and governance matters.
Practice head(s):
Emma Moody
Other key lawyers:
Sally Cooper
Testimonials
‘A highly trusted extension of our in-house legal services function. The team led by Emma Moody has an excellent understanding of charity law and its commercial, common-sense and jargon-free approach to providing advice, combined with a deep understanding of our business is a breath of fresh air.’
‘The team provide an exceptional service at all times, it is a pleasure to engage the team and there is never any doubt that you will receive a first class service. Depending on the matter being dealt with you can guarantee the appropriate collaborative approach will be taken, pulling on areas of specialism with the team. As a client you feel very much like part of the team, working together and feeling supported every step of the way.’
‘I’ve never experienced anything less than a first-class service regardless of who I interact with in WBD. I have a key contact and the support, service, advice and guidance I receive is of an exceptionally high standard. I feel extremely reassured knowing that I have WBD to turn to and this is largely due to the key individual I liaise with. I have a 100% trust and confidence in the advice and guidance I receive, and I am always made to feel as a customer I am a priority.’
‘The Partner that Stands Out for me is Emma Moody.’
‘Emma Moody, Head of Charities, is responsive and approachable, able to nuance her advice and practice.’
‘We moved to Womble Bond Dickinson for the strength of the Charity Team – already they have demonstrated a pragmatic approach to complex legal issues that span multiple disciplines (including, for example, HR and Property). Where urgent support has been required, the designated primary partner been very responsive and been able to draw in specialist expertise to act where necessary within hours. We have been very happy with the service received and have recommended the team to other charities.’
‘Emma Moody has been responsive and knowledgeable in relation to complex charity issues – she has a pragmatic approach, balancing cost and outcomes for us.’
Key clients
BBC Children in Need
Which? / Consumers’ Association
National Trust
Royal Academy of Engineering
Dogs Trust
Mental Health Matters
Everyturn
Archbishops’ Council
Absolute Return for Kids (ARK)
York Diocesan Board of Finance
National Energy Action
Church of England Central Services
Humankind Charity
NCFE
Urban Green Newcastle
Saint John of God Hospitaller Services
North Northumberland Hospice Care
Percy Hedley Foundation
St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust
Durham Cathedral
York Minster
Newcastle Cathedral
Work highlights
- Advised Everyturn on a full governance review of its current group company arrangements, including supporting with a full rebranding exercise.
- Appointed as Interim Manager of the Islamic Centre of England by the Charity Commission following reports in the press of the charity’s alleged links to promoting the Iranian political regime.
- Supported ARK in incubating and delivering a number of its ventures including the Martingale Foundation and the Maths Excellence Fund.
Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
Wrigleys Solicitors LLP‘s dedicated charities team is based across the north of England. The Newcastle team is headed up by specialist charity lawyer Fiona Wharton, who covers charity law and charity governance, mergers and collaborative working issues, and assists almshouses, grant making charities, and social care and housing charities. Other key members of the team are Laura Moss in Cumbria who has expanded her core specialisms of student unions and community-led housing to advise on cryptoassets and ESG issues in the charitable sector, and Joanna Blackman who splits her time between Leeds and Newcastle.
Practice head(s):
Fiona Wharton
Other key lawyers:
Laura Moss; Joanna Blackman
Testimonials
‘The team has significant expertise in the charity and not-for-profit sector, particularly in relation to cooperative and community benefit societies.’
‘Wrigelys has a depth of knowledge and expertise in dealing with matters concerns charities which have a connection to religion.’
‘Fiona Wharton is my go-to person for any charity legal queries – she is approachable, knowledgeable and gives friendly advice.’
‘Joanna Blackman has provided the trustees with a detailed report prior to the charity embarking on a redevelopment project. Advice to the trustees has been invaluable.’
‘Very good understanding of the charity sector and our needs, and how they differ from those of a commercial organisation.’
‘Fiona Wharton and the team were a pleasure to deal with. We would not hesitate to work with them again.’
Key clients
The Society of the Precious Blood (Burnham Abbey)
Community of the Sacred Passion
Allia