Charities and not for profit (NFP) organisations turn to us for advice in relation to their legal status and charitable status as well as for support with their day-to-day activities. Many individuals in the firm have also made personal commitments to the charity sector, often acting as trustees.
Our services include:
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strong understanding of charity law and practice, the formation and winding up of charities, mergers, good governance, the use of subsidiary trading companies
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tax issues for charities - particularly VAT and trading issues
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familiarity with cultural organisations, fundraising, intellectual property issues
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internal disputes among trustees, or with non-trustee staff
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complex administrative law issues
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reputation management
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legacy income management, and commitments to donors and testators
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employment issues
Recent experience advising on:
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discrimination issues alleged by certain members of a religious charity
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the obligations of an ancient charitable foundation for a local body, where there was a proposal to close almshouses
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conflict of interest allegations, for example in a case where a disaffected ex-employee alleged mismanagement
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the formation of new philanthropic and operational charities
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a housing charity which wanted to cease operations and transfer its activities and funds to a national charity
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a charity which wanted to establish a permanent lecture series and annual grant under the auspices of another charity
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the conversion of unincorporated charities into companies limited by guarantee
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serious allegations by the executors of an estate that charitable funds left by a deceased testator had been misapplied by the charity
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the restructuring of a local charity where there was doubt about the identity of its trustees and about the procedures for electing the management board
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the registration of heritage buildings as charities, particularly linked with redevelopment projects
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the drafting or revision of rules for non-charitable bodies such as residents’ groups, fighting funds
We have recently advised:
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Bianca Jagger Foundation, New Berlioz Edition and the Contemporary Art Society
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Museums and galleries on aspects of charity law and governance
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Religious charities, including those of the Christian, Jewish and Moslem and Buddhist faiths, on governance and funding
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Summerhill School on governance and dealt with a statutory case
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“Friends” bodies in support of UK and overseas charities, on registration and their relationship with their parent bodies
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The Writers’ Guild and The Society of Authors on administrative and constitutional matters
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the Centre for Attachment Based Psychotherapy regarding constitutional and membership concerns