Spearheaded by Dominic Curran, the charities team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is known for its work with faith-based charities. It is also highly regarded for its national and international charity work with health and social care charities. In addition, it receives a steady flow of instructions to act as interim manager from the Charity Commission for England and Wales, and is adept at advising on financing issues for charities through grant work, social investment and secured lending. Another core focus is advising on fundraising issues. Matthew Wort frequently oversees employment matters for health and social care providers, while Edwina Turner leads the charities governance team.

Kirsty McEwen heads the team at Higgs LLP, whose lawyers are ‘genuine specialists in their field [and] passionate about the sector’. The group is skilled at providing constitutional, governance and regulatory advice to charities and not-for-profit organisations. McEwen has significant experience of working on complex restructurings and reorganisation projects. She also spearheads the firm’s philanthropy offering. Senior associate Ellie Williams advises on a broad range of matters. The practice has a particular specialism in acting for heritage charities and benevolent associations. Other key clients include alms-house charities, amateur sports charities and arts organisations.

At Mills & Reeve LLP, Cambridge-based Neil Burton and Birmingham-based Adam Williams co-head the team, which works for many of the UK’s largest and most prominent charities and social enterprises. Williams, who was promoted to the partnership in June 2024, specialises in advising on governance and charity law regulations. He often advises universities throughout the country on charity law issues, and leads the firm’s philanthropy offering. Lucy Howard plays a pivotal role in the department too. Howard focuses on advising on contested legacies. She frequently advises charities on the validity of will provisions, and acts on their behalf in relation to claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

The well-established and large team at VWV is jointly led by Con Alexander who is based at the Bristol office, and Birmingham-based Shivaji Shiva. It advises more than 1,000 charities of all types and sizes, including many national charities. It specialises in advising faith charities, and acts for regionally and nationally significant mosques, gurdwaras and temples. The group frequently advises healthcare, arts and educational charities, as well as public sector bodies. In addition, it advises a significant number of universities. Shiva has developed an excellent reputation for his work with faith charities, and for his support to national charities which promote physical activity. Jaime Hobday advises charities on incorporation as well as administrative, property and data protection matters.

Under the leadership of Mark Lewis, Lodders Solicitors LLP acts for many charitable organisations, which range from high-profile national and regional charities through to charitable trusts, breed societies and ancient foundations. It also acts for various agricultural and ecclesiastical clients, as well as family businesses. The department is known for its advice on governance and constitutional matters, and for its handling of complex restructurings and reorganisations. Another area of expertise is advising charities across England and Wales on membership issues.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP has a strong base in the West Midlands and frequently acts for religious, cultural and educational charities. The department also fields a team which specialises in advising charities on contentious legacies and probate cases, and on legacy administration matters. Names to note include the national head of the team Catherine Rustomji. Rachel Gwynne, who is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, supports charities and not-for-profit organisations. Gwynne has a particular focus on corporate matters, and regularly assists banking clients when they are dealing with charity and not-for-profit borrowers.