Charities and non-profit
Charities and non‑profit organisations face increasing pressure, tighter regulation, rising costs and the challenge of delivering impact with limited resources. We provide clear, pragmatic, sector-specific legal advice, helping you focus on your mission with confidence.
Why work with us
Dedicated contact, practical advice
Every charity client works with a single senior contact who understands your organisation, coordinates all matters and ensures a smooth, consistent experience across the firm.
A genuine sector team of specialists
Our lawyers specialise in charity and not-for-profit work. Your Client Relationship Manager (CRM) brings together experts in governance, property, restructuring, mergers, disputes, employment and more, ensuring you receive advice that is relevant, informed and practical.
Integrated support from start to finish.
We provide joined-up advice across every matter, offering clear communication, practical solutions and consistency at every stage.
Our commitment to the charity sector
We are long‑standing advisers to charities and not‑for‑profit organisations and understand the financial pressures trustees and leadership teams face.
To reflect our commitment to the sector, we typically offer a 10% discount on our standard hourly rates for qualifying charity clients, helping organisations access specialist legal advice and make the best use of their resources.
We confirm the availability of any discount at the engagement stage, subject to our terms of engagement.
How we can help
Helping trustees meet their duties with confidence.
- Governance reviews and constitutional updates
- Trustee duties, responsibilities and training
- Annual reporting, accounting and regulatory compliance
- Engagement with the Charity Commission, including investigations and inquiries
- Ethical, responsible and socially aligned investment policies
Supporting charities to make confident property decisions.
- Acquisitions and disposals of charity land and buildings
- Leases, licences and tenancy arrangements
- Redevelopment, planning and construction support
- Property issues arising from mergers, closures or reorganisation
- Strategic estate and asset management for long‑term sustainability
Helping charities adapt, collaborate and evolve.
- Charity incorporations and establishing CIOs
- Conversion from unincorporated to incorporated structures
- Mergers, acquisitions and collaborative ventures
- Reorganisations, group structures and governance harmonisation
- Dissolutions and winding up where appropriate
- Partnerships with non‑charitable organisations and social enterprises
Protecting your organisation, mission and beneficiaries.
- Charity legacy disputes and contentious probate issues
- Governance conflicts and trustee disagreements
- Contractual, commercial and sector‑specific disputes
- Reputational issues and crisis‑related support
- Managing regulator engagement during contentious matters
Supporting the people who deliver your mission.
- Workforce change, restructuring and consultation
- Employment policies, investigations and disputes
- Volunteer management, rights and discrimination issues
- Safeguarding obligations, policy reviews and compliance
- HR support for regulated services, schools and care providers
Ensuring charities meet regulatory obligations in a digital world.
- GDPR compliance, policies and data governance frameworks
- Data protection audits and risk reviews
- Handling data breaches and regulatory notifications
- Cybersecurity, digital platforms and online safeguarding considerations
- Data subject access requests and ongoing compliance support
FAQs
Yes – every charity has a Client Relationship Manager who coordinates all work and acts as your single point of contact.
Yes – our team includes specialists in governance, property, restructuring, disputes, regulatory and employment work for charities.
Regularly. We handle incorporations, mergers and reorganisations, including CIO conversions and dissolutions.
We advise on trustee duties, risk and options during financial stress, including where restricted funds limit flexibility.
Yes – including charitable trusts and incorporated structures, aligned with tax‑efficient planning
Key contacts
Our charities and non-profit experience
Construction advice on charity-funded regeneration projects
Merger support involving complex property transactions and regulatory engagement
Governance reviews and reorganisations for related charities
Lease extension dispute for a large charity with a premium exceeding £1m.
Acted for a large charity in a lease extension claim made by their leaseholder with a lease extension premium of over £1 million.
Advised a charitable trust on a variety of construction issues on several projects forming part of an urban regeneration scheme which it funded.
Advised two related charities on internal governance reviews, reorganisations and ongoing management of their relationships with their non-charitable partners.
Advised the Moravian Union, a registered charity, on financial difficulties experienced by one of its boarding schools and its subsequent closure and administration.
Advised a charity on varied governance matters including trustee responsibilities and governance, charitable objects and collaborative working.
Supported a charity on a merger with another organisation.
Our client successes
Landmark guidance issued for Royal Charter charities
We acted in precedent-setting proceedings clarifying the interpretation and amendment of charitable objects under the Charities Act 2011 for Royal Charter charities.
Guiding charity merger under tight deadlines
We supported a charity through a time-sensitive merger, advising on governance, property, and corporate matters to ensure a smooth and compliant change of control.
How we made a difference
Related thinking
Legacy disputes and gifts in wills: protecting charitable income
Uniting for impact: what trustees need to know
Are CIOs becoming the default structure for forward-thinking charities
Navigating financial stress in charities and independent schools
Revitalising your charity: Advice for dormant, inactive and ineffective charities
Key takeaways for trustees: Kids Company judicial review
Updated guidance as to paying charity trustees
Charitable giving: Structuring your philanthropy
“Zooming” into trouble: Navigating the risks of virtual charity meetings
Investing as charity trustees
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Contact us
If you have a question or need advice, please let us know how we can help.
