Charities and philanthropy

Charities need advice on a range of legal issues against an ever-changing legal and regulatory background. Let our experienced team help.

How we can advise you

Charities – whether trusts or corporate entities - need specialist advice. Our team is led by experienced practitioners who can deal with:

• Constitutional issues e.g. changes in the objectives of the charity and necessary liaison with the Charity Commission
• Charity trustees – advising on their duties, powers and possible liability including acquiring trustee indemnity insurance
• Fundraising issues, including trading arrangements, the establishment of trading subsidiary companies, commercial participation agreements and joint ventures between charities
• Legacies and gifts to charities, including estates in administration and advice on estates subject to a dispute, including the interpretation of wills
• Governance issues, including the adoption of terms of reference of governing bodies
• Risk management processes, including controls and the proper delegation of powers
• Relevant changes in the law, for example the Charities Act 2006 and the Companies Act 2006
• Public benefit
• Taxation
• Deregistration

In relation to setting up new charities, we advise on:

• Practical issues, including whether or not the proposed objectives are charitable in law
• The most appropriate form for the charitable organisation
• Applications to the Charity Commission for registration