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Charities

1
Radcliffe Chambers
2
Maitland Chambers

Leading Silks

1
Jonathan Davey KC – Wilberforce Chambers 'Jonathan was strong on reviewing and interpreting the complicated background to the matter and providing advice which was practically useful for the client.'
Robert Pearce KC – Radcliffe Chambers ‘Robert is an excellent and tenacious advocate, extremely convincing and the person you want on your side in a dispute. He is however also great at finding the mid-course necessary to achieve a settlement, which is extremely useful, especially in charity disputes. Clients love working with him and what he doesn’t know about charity law is truly not worth knowing - if it exists!’
Simon Taube KC – Ten Old Square 'One of the best charity law silks there is. A fount of wisdom.'
2
Thomas Dumont KC – Radcliffe Chambers 'Tom's reports are very clear and helpful, he carefully addresses the points raised and also looks at items that arise from those issues and covers those as well.'
Kate Selway KC – Radcliffe Chambers
3
Michael Furness KC – Wilberforce Chambers ‘Michael's authoritative but approachable style meant that senior management were able to both rely on his advice but also ask important questions and feel that they could discuss key issues with him. He was also unusual in immediately understanding the unique status of this particular charity, its complex governance structure, and what that meant for the practical application of any advice given.’    
Michael Gibbon KC – Maitland Chambers 'Very experienced charities specialist, who brings to bear not only very strong technical legal expertise, but also a strong appreciation of the charities sector.'
Andrew Westwood KC – Maitland Chambers ‘Andrew is a good trial advocate, thorough and pleasant to work with.’

2024 Silks

Matthew Smith KC – Maitland Chambers ‘Matthew has extensive knowledge and experience across charity law issues, from core charity aspects through to the corporate and insolvency side and commercial arrangements. He is also thoroughly reliable, user-friendly and liked by clients. Yet to identify a weakness, save that there is only one of him. He is a genuine star.’

Leading Juniors

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Jonathan Fowles – Serle Court ‘Jonathan has a depth of expertise in charity law that is unrivalled, in addition to excellent expertise and experience in other related areas, making him an absolute go-to for charity law advice. He is technically astute and articulate, but also very commercial and pragmatic in his approach.’
2
Piers Feltham – Radcliffe Chambers
Matthew Mills – Radcliffe Chambers ‘Matthew is extremely knowledgeable in charity law. He is organised, efficient and meets deadlines. He expresses himself clearly and logically and is popular with clients. A rising star and will soon be silk material.’
Joshua Winfield – Radcliffe Chambers ‘Joshua has excellent charity law expertise, provides prompt and clear advice and is a pleasure to work with.’
3
Chris Buckley – Radcliffe Chambers
Maxim Cardew – Maitland Chambers ‘Maxim has considerable expertise as to both the law and Charity Commission practice, and provides clear and comprehensive advice, tailored to the client’s needs. He is personable and user friendly, and takes a highly collaborative approach when working with instructing solicitors.’
Justin Gau – Pump Court Chambers
William Hopkin – New Square Chambers 'Will provides clear and timely advice. He is prepared to give an opinion which helps to steer the case towards a conclusion rather than simply state the legal position. He is also very dedicated whilst being easy to get along with.'
Josh Lewison – Radcliffe Chambers
Ted Loveday – Maitland Chambers ‘Ted is a delight to work with, interested and engaged and very client friendly. He pulls out all the stops and goes above and beyond.’
Mark Ruffell – Pump Court Chambers ‘Mark’s advocacy skills played a significant role in helping the client win his case. He really went the second mile and beyond in terms of his closing submissions by working on such submissions well into the early hours of the morning on the final day of the hearing.’

Charities in London Bar

Radcliffe Chambers


Radcliffe Chambers’ members are adept at handling all manner of charity matters, acting for trustees and other parties across disputes concerning charities’ constitutions and advising trustees on various aspects of charity law. January 2025 saw Robert Pearce KC appear for the trustees before the Bermuda Court of Appeal in Wong v Grand View Private Trust Co-Ltd, where the heirs to a wealthy Taiwanese businessman’s estate seek to challenge his decision to place assets into a Bermudian purpose trust as opposed to Taiwan-based charitable trusts. Piers Feltham appeared for one of the heirs in Wong, while Matthew Mills acted for the India-based head of the Bhuj Temple in Dasji v Bhudia, a dispute with trustees and members of the charity that runs the temple over proposed changes to the charity’s constitution. Francesca Quint retired in December 2024.

Les références

‘Always a positive experience dealing with Radcliffe Chambers. The team of clerks and practice managers has always been very helpful, in particular, Justin Allen has always been approachable, professional and responsive.’

‘The clerks are always very friendly and helpful.’

‘Our go-to set for charity advice.’

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Maitland Chambers


At Maitland Chambers, barristers take on a wide range of charity issues, representing trustees who have been disqualified by the Charity Commission in their appeals, in addition to appearing for trustees in internal disputes concerning constitutional issues or disagreements as to actions taken by certain trustees. Andrew Westwood KC is instructed by Naomi Campbell in her challenge against the Charity Commission’s September 2024 decision to disqualify her as a trustee, following a finding of improper use of funds by her charity, Fashion for Relief. Matthew Smith KC was able to secure a new trial for former Professional Footballers Association (PFA) finance director Darren Wilson, overturning a Charity Commission decision to disqualify him before the Upper Tribunal arising out of alleged conflicts of interest between his PFA position and his role as a trustee of Players Foundation. At the junior end, Ted Loveday assisted the Good Law Project in bringing complaints concerning the activities of the Institute of Economic Affairs and Global Warming Policy Foundation to the Charity Commission.

Les références

‘Impressed by the chambers’ appetite for pro bono work.’

‘The chambers has been able to offer us appropriate level barristers based on proportionality.’

‘All round strong chambers for charities and trust matters.’

Principaux dossiers