Charities and not-for-profit
We advise national and regional charities and not-for-profit organisations on the full range of charity law, governance and regulatory issues alongside day-to-day operational matters: commercial, employment, litigation, property and corporate.
Many of our lawyers are trustees of local charities, so they understand that running a charity is similar to running a business. They know first hand the pressure, responsibility and the rewards that come from proper charity management.
Our team can help advise people in setting up a charity and trustees of a charity who need specific advice on their responsibilities.
Given our location, we are able to provide charity retailers with cost competitive legal fees often on a fixed fee basis.
Our expertise
Set up, incorporation and structure
We advise on all aspects of:
- setting up charitable organisations
- formation and administration of charitable trusts
Related services
"Clients say he is an "unflappable corporate lawyer who provides good commercial advice."
Trading and retail operations
Given our location - we are based out-of-town - we are able to provide charity retailers with cost competitive legal fees often on a fixed fee basis. We recognise that charity retailers do not want to spend money on solicitors' fees but they need to protect their organisation by doing things in the right way.
Our approach is to provide charity retailers with straightforward, commercial advice which helps them to focus on their core objective of raising funds whilst staying on the right side of the law.
We advise charities on all types of commercial activities including:
- ecommerce
- retail
- the use of trading subsidiaries
Commercial activities
We advise charities on all types of commercial activities including:
- Events organisation and management (including ticketing).
- Partnering and sponsorship agreements.
- Outsourcing agreements, (on a broad spectrum including catering, web hosting, transport and logistics, HR consultancy, and IT services).
- Standard terms and consumer issues: Tough consumer protection legislation affects all organisations, including charities and not for profit organisations that rely on consumer-engagement to deliver their services.
We have significant experience in advising on contract terms (drafting standard terms, or reviewing and negotiating standard terms) whether for use with consumers or businesses. - advertising (including in relation to the language and imagery used in advertising so that it meets the requisite standards set by the Advertising Standards Authority).
- Ecommerce sites and regulatory compliance (including Website and app development agreements):
- retail
- venue hire terms (both for venues hiring out space, and for customer organisations wishing to hire venue space):
- waste management and waste collection;
- the use of trading subsidiaries
Employees and volunteers
We advise charities on all aspects of managing their employees and the volunteers who work for them, understanding their role and responsibilities as an employer including:
- recruitment and retention of employees
- remuneration and contracts
- disciplinary and grievance procedures
- employment tribunals and advocacy
- the employment aspects of charity restructures and mergers
- data protection
Charity property
Charities can often how a wide and varied property portfolio including leasehold and freehold properties. We advise charities on how to manage this property portfolio in the most efficient manner including:
- sale of charity land
- purchase of freehold or leasehold property
- lease renewals