The team at Stone King LLP is co-headed by Tim Rutherford in Bath and Tom Murdoch in Leeds. The team boasts extensive expertise with regards to charitable status, social enterprise, faith charities, education-related charities, almshouses and cross-border legacies and deals. Its clients range from household name charities to local community organisations. In addition, the team works towards public sector innovation as well as training and development in the charity field. Significantly, ‘exceptional partner’ Murdoch has pioneered the landmark ‘Charitable Journalism Project’.
Charities and not-for-profit in Yorkshire And The Humber
Stone King LLP
Practice head(s):
Tim Rutherford; Tom Murdoch
Other key lawyers:
Samuel Dowgill
Testimonials
‘Specialist knowledge and expertise.’
‘Tom Murdoch has been particularly helpful in enabling us to steer through one delicate situation and one innovative situation. He is extremely approachable but also deeply knowledgeable.’
‘Proactive support provided. Keenness to really understand our business and ways of working to enable better support.’
‘Very helpful and responsive team, where the partner works hard to build up a depth of knowledge about clients, which hones the advice given. The advice is always high quality and relevant to the issue. The consistent and personal service is the element we really appreciate, which is supported by the specialists across the wider firm.’
‘Tom Murdoch is an exceptional partner to our charity, always very helpful and on point with his advice and constructive contributions to our discussions on knotty and complex matters. He is a joy to work with.’
‘Great knowledge, teamwork and support provided to the client.’
Key clients
Charitable Journalism Project
Blue Marine Foundation
Education & Training Foundation
Spitalfields Historic Buildings Trust
The Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) CIO
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust
Work highlights
- Advising on the Charitable Journalism Project as it works with public interest news organisations seeking to take advantage of charitable status.
- Advised the Blue Marine Foundation on its work supporting the designation of a marine protected area over Ascension Island’s offshore waters, the second largest marine protected area in the Atlantic.
- Advised on a wide range of Education & Training Foundation matters, including charity law and governance; commercial/corporate; IP; information law; property and employment.
Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
The charities team at Wrigleys Solicitors LLP is led by Malcolm Lynch
. It is one of the largest specialist teams in this sector in the country, described as going ‘above and beyond’ for its clients. Its workload includes advising on intricate and complex, high-value matters involving charity governance; corporate foundations; grants and social finance; property and housing. The team advises a broad range of clients, from faith-based charities, to health-based, to arts, culture and heritage-based, to conservation and environment-focused. Chris Billington leads on education work; other key names include Sylvie Nunn and Nat Johnson.
Practice head(s):
Malcolm Lynch
Other key lawyers:
Peter Parker; Sylvie Nunn; Joanna Blackman; Elizabeth Wilson; Sue Greaves; Laurel Sleet; Laura Moss; Chris Billington; Nat Johnson
Testimonials
‘The team we engaged with were very knowledgeable on the matters we were consulting about. They were very experienced and gave us confidence about the process that we were about to go through.’
‘Laura Moss was a stand-out partner, she has a very personable approach and reassuring way about her. She made complicated things simple and had always prepared for our meetings, often sending email briefs before our meetings so that we had time to think about the decisions and path ahead.’
‘Laurel Sleet was a hands-on solicitor who had direct professional knowledge of the charities and not-for-profit sector. She was exceptionally efficient, undertaking many tasks herself in order to streamline the process. She also provided templates for our use and drafted many forms to ensure our charity registration would be approved.’
‘Wrigleys have a genuine interest in social and community enterprises, and in finding innovative solutions. They go above and beyond to involve themselves in the sectors they work in, to understand and shape them.’
‘Great, down-to-earth support for our charitable trust. Proactive and efficient. Worked with them for years and couldn’t recommend them more. Sue Greaves is excellent.’
‘Joanna Blackman has been our point of contact throughout the project. She has been highly professional in every way, hugely supportive of our trust and its challenges. She acknowledged and built her own understanding of the unique challenges we faced. Without her level of support and dedication we would not be in the improved position we are today.’
‘Excellent service from everyone I have dealt with at Wrigleys, notably Joanna Blackman, Sylvie Nunn and Elizabeth Wilson.’
‘All partners we have worked with are very responsive and supportive, and our charity’s needs are extremely well overseen by Malcolm Lynch who keeps abreast of all matters relating to our account. Peter Parker is a very strong and meticulous commercial partner able to focus on the key contractual matters and present his advice very clearly.’
Key clients
Angmering CLT
Blue Ventures Conservation
Canopy Housing Project
The DLA Piper Charitable Trust
The Eaton House Foundation
Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches Trust Corporation Limited
Fair4All Finance Limited
Opera North Limited
Penny Appeal
Power to Change Trust
Regent’s Park College
Sisters of the Cross and Passion
Youth Futures Foundation
Work highlights
Addleshaw Goddard
The ‘impressive’ Pervinder Kaur heads up Addleshaw Goddard
‘s practice from Leeds where she is also office head and head of private capital. The team’s workload largely consists of advising on complex transactional arrangements involving charities; advising banks, trust corporations and commercial entities. In addition, it advises on Charity Commission inquiry work. The wealth of in-house expertise across the wider firm in areas such as real estate, construction, employment and pensions, means that it can deal effectively with complex multidisciplinary issues. Kaur works alongside legal director Laura Woffinden; together they are regarded as an 'exceptional team'.
Practice head(s):
Pervinder Kaur
Other key lawyers:
Laura Woffinden
Testimonials
‘The charities team is experienced in all aspects.’
‘Pervinder Kaur and her colleagues are impressive.’
‘The charities team at AG is exceptional. The quality of advice is always excellent and it comes with a pragmatism and commerciality not always found in the charities sector.’
‘Pervinder Kaur and Laura Woffinden are an exceptional team. I have found them to be very responsive and consistently provide high quality, commercially astute advice.’
Key clients
Bedingfield’s Trust
Leeds Beckett University
Work highlights
- Advised a number of household name retail clients on promotions involving charities.
- Providing ongoing advice on all areas of charity law to grant-making charities of ranging sizes.
- Advised charity trustees on the sale of a major shareholding in the company which founded the charity.
Hemingways Solicitors Limited
The Sheffield-based charities team at Hemingways Solicitors Limited is led by the ‘exceptional’ Laurence Gavin, who joined the firm from Irwin Mitchell in 2020. Its workload involves advising charities and not-for profit bodies on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters of significant complexity and value, including: the setting up of new charities; mergers; reputation management; regulation work; funding matters and grants and subsidy control matters. Expertise across the wider firm offers clients a well-rounded service.
Practice head(s):
Laurence Gavin
Testimonials
‘Laurence Gavin has extensive and particular knowledge of charity law and its specific application to our circumstances.’
‘Laurence Gavin is an individual who has exceptional knowledge and ability to navigate through extremely complex situations, which provides a positive outcome for clients.’
‘The lead solicitor, Laurence Gavin, is a highly skilled and experienced professional, who provides a very efficient service. In addition, he always makes you feel comfortable when dealing with the law.’
‘Laurence Gavin is exceptional. His knowledge of the charity sector is second-to-none. He managed the merger of two charities into a new one, brilliantly. He was on top of the whole process and provided timely and accurate advice every step of the way.’
‘Laurence Gavin has extensive and particular knowledge of charity law and its specific application to our circumstances.’
‘An extremely professional and responsive team. Clear advice, well explained.’
‘Hemingways provided comprehensive and flexible legal support throughout a charity merger. The quality of advice and practical support offered was very much valued.’
‘Laurence Gavin provided accessible, timely and high quality advice throughout the engagement.’
Key clients
7 Hills Leisure Trust
Builders Merchants Federation
Day One Trauma Support
E50K
Inspire Trust
Key Fund Investments Limited
Sheffcare Limited
Sheffield Futures
Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Sheffield Museums Trust
The British Fluoridation Society Limited
The Coleridge Trust
Westfield Health & Wellbeing Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust on its merger with Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust Ltd. to form a new charity: Sheffield Museums Trust.
- Advised new injury support charity Day One Trauma Support on its demerger from Leeds Cares and its funding arrangements.
- Advised third sector investor Key Fund on the funding agreements for the Northern Impact Fund.
Hempsons
The Harrogate-based charities and social enterprise team at Hempsons is led by Helen Hirst, whilst Ian Hempseed leads the team at national level. The Yorkshire team advises numerous significant regional, national and international clients on complex matters, including redundancy and restructuring; the purchasing of new premises; governance matters; maintenance of a positive public image and the registering of new charitable organisations. The team boasts a particular expertise in the health and social care realm of charity law, led by Philippa Doyle.
Practice head(s):
Ian Hempseed; Helen Hirst
Other key lawyers:
Martin Cheyne; Philippa Doyle; Crispin Pettifer; Matthew Gale
Testimonials
‘The team are excellent at understanding the issues of charity leaders and finding appropriate support. Their responsiveness, knowledge and expertise are second to none.’
‘We value the team’s ability to be flexible, their conscientiousness and their focus on details. This, aligned with a deep knowledge of our sector, is invaluable. Our contact Ian Hempseed is diligent and approachable.’
‘Hempsons are the leading specialists for health and social care. For us, their key strengths are in their depth of knowledge around health and social care and in successfully challenging CQC and regulatory bodies. Their billing is very reasonable compared to other firms and they have a good solid reputation. Their expert advice and partnership makes it feels like they are part of our team – I guess they are in so many ways.’
‘They have a number of key individuals that all go above and beyond in terms of the support offered. Key individuals worthy of special mention are: Ian Hempseed – fantastic on all areas related to governance, mergers, constitution; Martin Cheyne – expert on all matters relating to employment issues; Philippa Doyle – fantastic support from this expert on health and social care and much much more.’
‘Crispin Pettifer and Matthew Gale have both been working on the project and have turned around information in a good and timely manner, they have also been very open and transparent.’
‘Practical and thorough advice, adopting a collaborative approach.’
‘Their ability to convey complex issues in straightforward terms is great, particularly Helen Hirst.’
‘Ian Hempseed is always both knowledgeable and efficient with his advice and we have had no reason to look elsewhere for any charity law-specific advice. We have also worked with related teams with other specialisms including property law and wills and probate, and the same can be said for those teams too.’
Key clients
British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
Locala Community Partnerships CIC
The Skill Mill Limited
Change Grow Live
The Iolanthe Midwifery Trust
CXK Ltd
Musicians Benevolent Fund t/a Help Musicians
Making Space
Outward Bound Trust
Society of Occupational Medicine
Wilf Ward Family Trust
Autism Plus Limited
Avenues Trust Group
British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Christie Charitable Fund
Energy Institute
International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics
Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation
Overseas Development Institute
Pure Innovations Limited
York Conservation Trust
Work highlights
- Advised the British Association of Sport Exercise Medicine on governance matters, including challenges they faced in respect of running their AGM virtually as well as preparing grant agreements and regulatory queries.
- Provided governance advice to Locala, including providing board training to the directors and the senior managers.
- Advising the Society of Occupational Medicine in respect of registering the International Occupational Medical Society Collaborative as a new charity.
Lupton Fawcett
The ecclesiastical and charities team at Lupton Fawcett is led by commercial property partner David Whitaker, while family partner Chris Burns leads the charities and social enterprises team. The firm advises on a range of complex matters, including the sale and development of charity land, structures and option and trustee duties. It specialises in both ecclesiastical and educational charity law. The team acts for a number of religious charities and advises the Province of York, the Diocese of York and the Diocese of Leeds.
Practice head(s):
Robert Whitaker; Chris Burns
Other key lawyers:
Louise Connacher
Testimonials
‘Lupton Fawcett have helped us enormously – bringing multidisciplinary advice and action combining property, charity and social enterprise with ecclesiastical law. They have managed the complexities and navigated two bodies of trustees through significant complexities.’
‘Very responsive with great knowledge of the sector.’
‘They have a wide range of knowledge areas and are available to meet our varied needs.’
‘Speedy and insightful advice.’
‘I found the standard documentation written in plain and easy to understand language, which was refreshing to see.’
Key clients
Province and Diocese of York
Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance
The Grammar School at Leeds
Scarborough College
St Leonard’s Hospice, York
Inclusion Housing Group
NRCPD
The King’s School Canterbury
Barnard Castle School
Parents and Friends of the Grammar School at Leeds
Donisthorpe Hall
British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
The Embroiderers Guild
Work highlights
- Supporting the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance on the full-range of legal issues with a particular focus on ecclesiastical, property, charity and education advice.
- Supporting the Grammar School at Leeds and its supporting charities with specialist charity law, charity property advice as well as employment, commercial services and debt recovery.
- Advising the charity on amendment to the terms of a special trust and giving general advice on governance related matters.
Mills & Reeve LLP
The Leeds-based team at Mills & Reeve LLP is led by Mark Ashton, whilst Neil Burton is the national charity sector head, working across Cambridge and London. The team advises some of the UK’s most prominent charities on high-value matters. Its workload in this sector involves advising on the establishment and structuring of charities; developing philanthropy efforts; setting up international ventures; intellectual property disputes and estates work. The team has recently developed its work with health charities.
Practice head(s):
Neil Burton; Mark Ashton
Testimonials
‘They have built up a good understanding of the particular complexities of our organisation.’
‘Mark Ashton’s advice is always sound and straightforward. We can partner the organisation through complex issues, without fuss.’
Work highlights
Rollits LLP
The charities team at Rollits LLP is headed by Gerry Morrison. Its workload includes advising on matters involving incorporations, appointments, mergers, complex taxation issues, as well as the registration, re-structure and reorganisation of charities. The cross-discipline team advises charitable organisations from grassroots organisations to those that are nationally recognised.
Practice head(s):
Gerry Morrison
Other key lawyers:
Harriet Wheeldon; Stuart Lumb
Testimonials
‘Rollits have a professional team who respond in an efficient, effective and timely manner. Communication is excellent and this facilitates an appropriate professional relationship and service, which is tailored to the individual needs of the client.’
‘Rollits have detailed knowledge and experience of working with clients in the charity sector, in-particular, navigating legal organisation changes. That experience is applied to provide comprehensive information, to ensure that all options are explained to clients and explored.’
‘Gerry Morrison demonstrated in-depth knowledge of and experience in the charity sector. He understood the issues we needed help addressing and this was maintained as we worked closely over a period of time with other members of the team.’
‘Harriet Wheeldon and Stuart Lumb demonstrated exceptional interpersonal skills. Harriet has shown excellent communication, diligence and exceptional attention-to-detail, which has enabled us to navigate a complex legal process. Harriet has used her extensive knowledge and experience to ensure all aspects of the legal processes were addressed and that they were processed in the correct timely manner and order. She has offered valued information regarding options and has explained the implications with clarity.
‘Stuart Lumb has been exceptionally helpful recently with regard to property legalities and has been especially good at explaining important legal terms; highlighting potential issues, keeping in touch, ensuring we are informed of developments and proactive in following up on outstanding issues.’
‘Rollits offer a professional, friendly service, with excellent staff who are always there to help.’
‘The individuals I worked with were professional, friendly and took the time to understand my business and what was required, they then produced a plan to implement that.’
Key clients
EMIH Limited (The Deep)
The Holbeck Charitable Trust
Hull College Group
Family Fund Trust
The North York Moors Historical Railway Trust
Goodwin Development Trust
The Friends of York Minster
Scarborough & District Mencap
Work highlights
- Advised Scarborough & District Mencap on the incorporation of a charity from an unincorporated association.
- Advised Tadcaster Community Sports Trust on its conversion from a community amateur sports club to a charitable incorporated organisation.
- Advised The Retreat, York, on the charity law compliance aspects of the disposal of its site at Heslington, York, including compliance with The Charities Act 2011 procedures.
Schofield Sweeney
Schofield Sweeney‘s team, which is led by Andrew Hurst, specialises in education sector charity work. Its particular areas of expertise include advising on the establishment of charities, the availability of charitable status for NFP organisations, the incorporation of trusts, charitable property law and complex issues of legacies, VAT and tax matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Fiona Crothers; Tina Morris; Annie Hui-Gillen; Simon Glazebrook
Testimonials
‘Very professional, reassuring and competent advice was provided. The team were friendly and approachable and provided appropriate advice for the stage of our development as a Community Interest Company.’
‘Tina Morris dealt with our matter, going above and beyond to ensure we got our CIC-registered meeting, meeting both our own requirements and those of the relevant regulatory authorities. All documentation was provided and we were kept up to date each step of the way.’
‘They are very responsive, they work in a very understandable way, and are able to provide clear and concise advice and guidance tailored to the appropriate audience. Very approachable.’
‘We have worked with Fiona Crothers, Tina Morris and Annie Hui-Gillen. All have been very helpful and supportive and guided us through areas in which we have no previous in-house experience or expertise.’
‘A combination of in-depth understanding of client needs, alongside creative thinking and a can-do attitude.’
‘Simon Glazebrook clearly understood what we were trying to achieve and worked with his colleagues to come up with creative solutions that worked for us in the context of broader planning.’
Key clients
Bradford Culture Company Limited
Knaresborough Old Peoples Welfare Association
The Stevenson Charitable Trust CIO
Saloman Foundation
Actually Education
National Children’s Centre
Penny Appeal
Northern Star Academies Trust
Work highlights
- Advised Knaresborough Old Peoples Welfare Association, an unincorporated charity, on its incorporation as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
- Advised The Stevenson Charitable Trust CIO on the formation and establishment of a high-value grant-making charity and its registration as a CIO at the Charity Commission.
- Carried out a governance review for the National Children’s Centre, including a review of and report on the charity’s articles of association.
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
The charities team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is co-headed by Daniel Hammond and Kevin Webster. The team advises on the establishment of new charities, on the winding-up and transfer of charitable activities and on Charities Act compliance matters.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Hammond; Kevin Webster
Testimonials
‘I have found that when dealing with Andrew Jacksons, they have always been helpful. They have also been easily contactable when needed.’
Key clients
The Alcohol & Drug Service
European Missionary Fellowship
Forum: North Bank Forum for Voluntary Organisations
Hull IVF Trust
Humbercare Limited
St Paul’s Amateur Boxing Academy
The Viola Trust
Tigers Sport and Education Trust
United Kingdom Association of Fish Producer Organisations
MV Ross Revenge (Home of Radio Caroline) CIO
Work highlights
- Advised Pickering & Ferens Homes (a registered charity) on the purchase of a complex development site in Hull.
- Advised St Paul’s Boxing Academy Charitable Incorporated Organisation on its successful registration as a charitable incorporated organisation, prior to the redevelopment of its premises.
McCormicks
The charities offering at McCormicks is headed by Peter McCormick. It advises various well-known charities on high-value matters from incorporation and registration with the Charities Commission, to the negotiation of a variety of commercial and charitable arrangements between the charity, its specialist providers and its funding partners.
Practice head(s):
Peter McCormick
Testimonials
‘Everyone is really friendly and helpful. The practice deals effectively and quickly with all the issues we raise. They clearly explain things, converting technical terminolgy and issues into simple language.’
‘Everyone we deal with at McCormicks is excellent. We appreciate their swift responses, thorough understanding and clarity in explanation.’
Key clients
Harrogate International Festivals
John Strutt Centre for Parrot Conservation, John Strutt Memorial Foundation, John Strutt Conservation Foundation, The John Strutt Charity
The Premier League Charitable Fund
War Memorial Trust
The Football Foundation
The Helen Feather Memorial Trust
The Harrogate Operatic Players
The Royal Horticultural Society
The Outward Bound Trust
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Rydale Special Families
Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust
Work highlights
- Advising on the complex estate of the late John Herbert Strutt and the associated Trusts and Charities with regards, in particular, the proposed future development and/or sale of various properties within the residuary estate.
- Advising the War Memorials Trust on on a wide range of matters, including the drafting of new governing documentation and advice regarding the relocation of its premises in London.
- Providing a full service to the The Premier League Charitable Fund, with regards all commercial and charitable arrangements between the charity, its funding partners and specialist service providers.