Cripps offers the full spectrum of support to charities and not-for-profits, advising on governance, formation, incorporation, risk management, investigatory and liability matters. Its experience includes advising clients in the art, education, religion and social housing sectors. The firm can also assist charities on commercial and real estate matters through its broader expertise. The firm merged with PDT Solicitors in February 2024, bringing James Clewlow, Chehraz Fox, Holly Goacher and Ian Lindley into the fold. Kate Arnold heads the practice, with expertise in the commercial activities of charities. Joanna Ford is also noted for her experience in trustee duties and insolvency matters.
Charities and not-for-profit in South East
Cripps
Praxisleiter:
Kate Arnold
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Joanna Ford; James Clewlow; Chehraz Fox; Holly Goacher; Ian Lindley
Referenzen
‘It is very well organised and it provides a very good service.’
‘It is responsive, commercially astute, well run and its people are enjoyable to work with.’
‘The individuals are very good at their job and inspire confidence with the quality and speed of response. They tell you want you need to know, not what you want to hear.’
Kernmandanten
John Lyon’s Foundation
URC Thames North Trust
Yateley Manor School Ltd
The London Diocesan Fund
University of Kent
Canterbury Christ Church University
Goodenough College
EKC Group
Highlight-Mandate
Moore Barlow
Moore Barlow has an expansive charity practice, with experience in the housing, education, religious and health sectors. The firm is also practiced in reputation management for charities going through a crisis. It has additional experience advising private philanthropists. Gordon Reid, whose specialisms include reputational and governance advice, heads the practice alongside Joanna Lada-Walicki, an expert in employment and pastoral concerns. Paul Ridout, who joined the practice from Hunters Law LLP in April 2023, focuses on advising faith-based charities on mergers and constitutional matters. George Shepherd is a key member of the team, advising youth, religious and health charities.
Praxisleiter:
Gordon Reid; Joanna Lada-Walicki
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Paul Ridout; George Shepherd; Helen Harvie; Adam McRae-Taylor
Referenzen
‘Moore Barlow are a full-service charity firm, who provide timely and practical advice.’
‘George Shepherd provides clear consistent advice, on market practice as well as direct legal issues, combined with effective drafting and patient but firm deal-handling.’
‘I daily thank the heavens I was introduced to Paul Ridout.’
Kernmandanten
Young Minds Trust
The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
National Rifle Association
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
Boys’ Brigade
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices
Institute of Biomedical Science
Compassion UK
24-7 Prayer
YMCA East Surrey
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice
The Richmond Charities
Titus Trust
Right to Life Charitable Trust
Reliance Bank
Saint Francis Hospice
Waverley Abbey Trust
Woking and Sam Beare Hospices
Co-Mission Churches Trust
Dr Williams’s Trust and Library
Alfanar
Richmond Parish Lands Charity
Himalayan Trust UK
Help Musicians
Leaders of Worship and Preachers Homes
Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society
Ursuline Sisters Brentwood
Ardonagh Community Trust
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising Young Minds Trust on its partnership with Marks & Spencer, anticipated to raise £5m for the charity.
- Advising a high-profile faith charity on a complex safeguarding investigation including advising on steps to safeguard the charity’s reputation and advising on the charity’s internal policies and employment law issues.
- Acting for two grant-making charities on multi-million-pound property investment transactions and advising on the merger of the charities.
Blake Morgan LLP
The ‘excellent service’ offered by Blake Morgan LLP’s lawyers spans the spectrum of charity law issues, from governance and risk management to joint ventures and grant-related issues. Its clientele includes charities focused on healthcare, childcare, human rights and emergency services. Leading the practice, Ben Brice advises charities on their commercial projects and joint ventures, as well as any governance and regulatory matters. Gina Cheetham, who joined the firm in January 2023, focuses on advising clients on the registration and constitution of charities and on grant and funding matters. Laura Sherratt is another noted member of the practice, specialising in commercial advice to charities.
Praxisleiter:
Ben Brice
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Gina Cheetham; Laura Sherratt; Rachel Sales; Joss Saunders
Referenzen
‘Authoritative and accessible advice is always received in a prompt manner and I have every confidence in the guidance and support given to my organisation.’
‘The individuals are approachable, consistent and provide reliable advice. The team (notably Rachel Sales and Laura Sherratt) are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Ben Brice is excellent.’
Kernmandanten
Action for Children
Association for Project Management
The British Red Cross Society
Cardiff University
ChildFund Alliance
The Guildhall Trust
Global Canopy
Global Witness
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Langley House Trust
The Methodist Church
Oxford Union Society
The Powell-Cotton Trust
Pilgrim’s Friend Society
Solent Mind
St Michael’s and All Saints Charities
Highlight-Mandate
- Drafted bespoke new Statutes for Linacre College, Oxford, to introduce a smaller trustee board from amongst its Governing Body, with a view to improving governance and reflecting best practice.
- Advised international NGO, ChildFund Alliance, on the introduction of new governance structures with a view to balancing flexibility of a smaller board with representation from the wider membership.
- Advised Tricolor Associates in connection with charity law considerations for a project in which the charity wishes to dispose of multiple heritage assets ahead of winding-down.
Blandy & Blandy LLP
Blandy & Blandy LLP are adept at advising charities and not-for profits of all sizes, both regional and national. It advises a broad range of clients but has an established track record in the educational sectors. Other clients range from charities and trusts and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) to social enterprises. Team head Nick Burrows is expert in numerous areas such as governance, formation, incorporation and trustee duties. More broadly, the team advises on commercial matters such as restructurings, mergers and real estate.
Praxisleiter:
Nick Burrows
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jennifer Scott
Referenzen
‘The team are creative, responsive and practical. They look for ways to make things work rather than reasons why they can’t.’
‘Nick Burrows is exceptional. Very responsive, helpful, flexible and knowledgeable.’
‘The service feels so tailored and personal to your needs, the team are always trying to exceed you expectations.’
Kernmandanten
University of Oxford
University of Reading
Ben – Motor & Allied Trades Benevolent Fund
The Hartley Trust
Thames Valley Air Ambulance
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
Royal Town Planning Institute
The Almshouse Association
CXK
Career Connect
Adviza
The Glass and Glazing Federation
Pangbourne College
Prior’s Court Foundation
Highlight-Mandate
Brachers
Brachers offers clients a full service of support in the charity sector. It has experience in mandates relating to legacy gifting, regulatory compliance, collaborative arrangements, governance and dispute resolution. The team is led by Sarah Gaines, Christopher Eriksson-Lee and Catherine Daw. Gaines guides clients through property transaction matters whilst Eriksson-Lee’s practice covers governance, re-organisational, trustee duties and compliance issues. Daw is especially adept at employment concerns for charities, including trade union matters and individual disputes. Mary Rimmer is a noted team member advising on charity constitution for new and long-running charities. The firm expanded its property-related charity expertise with the addition of Andrew Harbourne from Gateley Legal in October 2023.
Praxisleiter:
Sarah Gaines; Christopher Eriksson-Lee; Catherine Daw
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Mary Rimmer; Andrew Harbourne; Sophie Spellman; Simran Sanghera
Referenzen
‘Professional and responsive.’
‘The firm is responsive and able to provide clients with the right level of support and advice on all aspects of their activities.’
‘We work with a number of different individuals within the firm who all have the specialist knowledge and advice needed.’
Kernmandanten
William Barrows Charity
Charities Aid Foundation Bank
Blackthorn Trust
Kent County Agricultural Society
Brachers Charitable Trust
Tunstall Village Hall
The Sir Percival Griffiths’ Tea Planter Trust
Kent Farmers Benevolent Fund
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for CAF Bank in its secured lending, mainly to charity borrowers.
- Advising the Kent Farmers Benevolent fund, which provides financial assistance to farmers and their families.
- Advising Tunstall Village Hall in carrying out an independent review of the Trust documentation including updating the trusteeship and regularising trustees appointment process and the appointment of Brachers Trust Corporation as a professional trustee.
Debenhams Ottaway
Debenhams Ottaway supports regional and national charities through any regulatory and legal issues that may arise. In particular, the firm can leverage its probate expertise to assist charities in securing legacy donations, including where the estate has been contested. Andrew Yates, whilst heading the practice, advises charities on M&A, trustee duties and incorporations. Claire Sharp is central to the team, assisting in trust formation and restructuring. Neil Neil Mercer is another noted member of the team, with special expertise in commercial property advice for charities and not-for-profits in the religious and education sectors. Andrew Spearman is well-versed in the tax aspects of trust constitution and administration.
Praxisleiter:
Andrew Yates
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Neil Mercer; Andrew Spearman; Claire Sharp; Jonathan Foy
Referenzen
‘Debenhams Ottaway have strong market knowledge and are able to deal with complex issues, often having to unpick long and complicated histories in doing so. This I attribute to the diligence of their team and the care they give their work.’
‘Neil Mercer is extremely diligent and clear in his advice to clients, even where having to explain complex issues.’
‘They have the expertise to be able to deal with a wide range of issues very competently. I have always found them to be friendly and helpful and sort issues out quickly.’
Kernmandanten
The Church Lands Trust
The St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance
Youth Talk
Crohn’s & Colitis UK
The Counselling Foundation
Abbeyfield
InspireAll Limited
Hubbard Will Trust
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for The Hubbard Trust, an educational trust established by a Will, advising the trustees on a variety of data protection-related issues and undertaking a contract review exercise related to a proposed change to the supplier of the trust web hosting services.
- Providing Youth Talk, an incorporated charity helping young people with mental health issues, pro-bono charitable and corporate advice to its CEO on its constitution, trustee duties and assistance on holding general meetings.
- Negotiated on behalf of InspireAll, a leisure organisation and registered charity that provides community sport, recreational and arts services, regarding 25 leases following a successful bid to run leisure centres in both Hertsmere and Milton Keynes,
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP advises charities, with a particular niche for education institutions, on all aspects of their operations, from creation to governance to their funding and commercial ventures. The firm is also highly experienced in compliance support related to the use of data. Daff Richardson, whose advice focuses on issues affecting trustees and employment law in the context of redundancies and individual grievances, heads the practice. Chris Shelley assists universities and research institutes on IP licensing and the commercial use of research results. Rachel Spruce’s practice includes advising on the creation of charities and their governance.
Praxisleiter:
Daff Richardson
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Chris Shelley; Rachel Spruce
Referenzen
‘The team are expert in their field and provide sound advise and guidance in a timely manner.’
‘Individual, tailored support.’
‘Good client knowledge. Good knowledge of charity law and employment law in particular. Advice is practical and commercial.’
Kernmandanten
I Choose Freedom
Churchill College, Cambridge
Keble College, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Pembroke College, Oxford
Green Templeton College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Wellington College
The Institute of Leadership and Management
The Pirbright Institute
The Institute for Fiscal Studies
The Licensed Trade Charity
International Headache Society
National Oceanography Centre
Reeds Foundation
CABI
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Marine Stewardship Council
The Fire Fighters Charity
Highlight-Mandate
- Providing bespoke trustee training to the governing bodies of a significant and growing number of Oxford and Cambridge Colleges.
- Acting as support to the in-house legal team at the National Oceanography Centre – the UK’s leading ocean science charity.
- Advising the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the UK’s leading independent economics research institute, on its domestic and international brand management and enforcement.|
VWV
VWV provides commercial and charity-specific advice to its clients. It skills extend to advising charities on employment, property, tax and procurement law. The team includes lawyers experienced in governance, regulatory and collaboration matters. The firm’s clients include healthcare, arts, educational and religious charities. Chris Knight is a key member of the team based in Watford.
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Chris Knight
Referenzen
‘Up-to-date knowledge of the workings of the Charity Commission.’
Kernmandanten
YMCA Trinity
Institute of Cancer Research
Royal College of Surgeons
The Harpur Trust
Royal College of GPs
Society and College of Radiographers
Parish Giving Scheme
London Symphony Orchestra
Soil Association
National Star Foundation
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised the London Symphony Orchestra on an investment approach involving endowed funds of approximately £9m.
- Advised Keech Hospice on its merger with another hospice care provider.
- Advised the Royal College of Surgeons on an extensive and complex series of constitutional changes.
Gardner Leader LLP
Employing an ‘excellent team’ of professionals, Gardner Leader LLP navigates clients through the myriad charity law matters, from the regulatory system to the commercial issues. The firm also assists with policy reviews. Captaining the team, Alastair Goggins advises clients in the dispute resolution space. Penny Wright, having experience in-house with charities, focuses on compliance with charity laws and regulations.
Praxisleiter:
Alastair Goggins
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Penny Wright; Greg Humphreys
Referenzen
‘The Team is very specialised and can therefore call on their varied expertise but, at the same time, give a very personal service’
‘Each member of the team make themselves readily available to deal with the matters raised and advise as to the action required. The partners were particularly helpful in providing advice and assistance’
‘Penny Wright can be relied on to respond quickly to queries and questions and is ably supported by her team and colleagues.’
Highlight-Mandate
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP is well-versed in contentious matters for charities, especially around probate and legacies. On the non-contentious side, the firm also advises on commercial and employment issues in addition to charity law matters. Spearheading the practice, Angela Bowman is ‘able to handle high-pressure instructions’ in relation to contested wills and trusts. Kevin McCavish specialises in employment advice for leading UK charities in the arts, healthcare and conservation sectors.
Praxisleiter:
Angela Bowman
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Kevin McCavish; Suzanne Burrell; Alex Lloyd
Referenzen
‘Angela Bowman is very experienced in trusts and estates matters; she is able to handle high-pressure instructions and is very good at client handling.’
‘There is a vast extent of experience within the team, working with charities for many years. They also understand the varying needs of different size charities, from local hospices to major national charities and balance these when dealing with estates.’
‘Angela Bowman always deals with matters in a professional yet personable way, helping to ensure contentious issues are dealt with in as non-adversarial a manner as possible, retaining the charities’ reputation whilst protecting their interests.’
Kernmandanten
Cancer Research
Macmillan Cancer Support
Parkinson’s UK
The National Trust
RSPB
Dogs Trust
Cats Protection
Blue Cross
The Donkey Sanctuary
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Diabetes UK
Diocese of Westminster
Age UK
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Union Jack Club
Canine Partners
St Wildred’s Hospice
Mary Ward Centre
National Lottery Community Group
Centre for Homelessness Impact
RNIB
Highlight-Mandate
- Drafted and advised on the new suite of template public procurement documentation for the National Lottery Community Fund.
- Provide ongoing pensions law advice and support to the RNIB Pension Scheme Trustees.
- Advised the Centre for Homelessness Impact in connection with a Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities-funded project for the provision of systems-wide evaluation of homelessness and rough sleeping services.
Thomson Snell & Passmore
Thomson Snell & Passmore advises regional and national clients in the health, social care and education sectors on the gamut of issues affecting charities, from formation to winding up. Nick Hobden, the head of practice, is reputed for his work in contentious matters within the welfare, social care and education sectors, such as SEN and employment tribunal claims. Douglas Skilton is noted within the team for his disputes expertise, especially around contract, IP and commercial disputes.
Praxisleiter:
Nick Hobden
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Douglas Skilton; Clare Morison; Penelope Edgar
Kernmandanten
Avante Care & Support Ltd
Town & Country Housing
Rivermead Inclusive Trust
Parallel Learning Trust
Skills for Life Trust
St Edmund’s School Canterbury
The Incorporated Rochester Diocesan Board of Education
The Governing Body of the Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School
Birtley House (Kent) Limited
Kent Archaeological Society
St Mary’s Trust
Illuminate Minds Trust
Siri Guru Nanak Darbar
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting on an important project to the local Sikh community, in relation to a project to convert the old Gurdwara in Gravesend, Kent which has lain empty and derelict since 2008, into residential units with a library.
Trethowans LLP
Trethowan’s dedicated charities team is adept at handling governance and regulatory matters, including restructuring, incorporation and trustee duties. The firm can further draw on its specialist expertise in data protection, IP, employment and contentious probate to provide wider advice to its clients. The practice is led out of Southampton by Sarah Humphrey, who is expert in charitable property issues, and Kirsteen Hook is well-versed in advising on governance matters, particularly in the education sector.
Praxisleiter:
Sarah Humphrey; Kirsteen Hook
Referenzen
‘The team working between disciplines is a stand out for me. As matters cross, between governance and property, the solicitors from different departments work together seamlessly.’
‘Kirsteen Hook is sensible, practical and amazingly effective. She turned around problems and found solutions that had seemed impossible.’
‘The team provide excellent support.’
Kernmandanten
RSPCA
The Army Museums Ogilby Trust
Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited
Royal Navy Winter Sports Association
Home Start Portsmouth
The F. Glenister Woodger Trust
Launchpad Social Enterprise
Paint Pots Nurseries and Pre-Schools
MyTime Young Carers
Hawk Conservancy Trust
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing the RSPCA on a number of prosecution matters.
- Advising on the formation of a new charity formed to advance education in readiness to receive estate funds > £1 million.
- Advising MyTime Young Carers on steps required (including a Charity Commission order and a cy-pres scheme) to deal with a number of historic complex governance arrangements.