The large and specialist team at Bates Wells has a ‘wonderful combination of expertise in the law, deep experience in the sector, and an inherently practical outlook’. Thea Longley heads the practice, which is adept at handling day-to-day issues for its non-profit clients, through to the most complex charity law matters. Philip Kirkpatrick advises many major charities, as well as foundations. Lawrence Simanowitz’s areas of specialisation span charity formations and governance, through to spinouts and campaigning. Stephanie Biden leads the work for faith-based charities, while Laura Soley has a broad charity practice, and covers niche areas such as royal charter bodies and statutory charities. Erica Crump acts for a range of large charities and spearheads the culture and creative cross-departmental offering. Oliver Hunt frequently advises on the structuring and promotion of crowdfunded projects, particularly for renewable energy projects. In April 2024, Jean Tsang and Lucy Rhodes were promoted to the partnership. Suhan Rajkumar is another name to note.

Farrer & Co is ‘a class act’ with ‘a depth to the bench in terms of quality of juniors.’ Elizabeth Jones and James Maloney co-lead an ‘exceptional team’, which acts for some of the largest and best-known UK and international charitable organisations. Other noteworthy clients include major grant-making bodies and philanthropic charitable foundations, key corporate foundations, and donor-advised funds. The team covers the full spectrum of matters, from complex cross-border mandates, disputes, and safeguarding issues, to Royal Charter body work. It is also skilled at advising on innovative charity finance matters. The agile team advises on fundraising, grant making, and on major gifts to charities. Sam Macdonald acts for charities and not-for-profit institutions on all aspects of UK charity law and related tax law. Julian Smith is well-known for his work on charity investment, and for his representation of prominent charities in the cultural sphere. Laetitia Ransley was promoted to the partnership in May 2024.

The first-class team at Stone King LLP has sector-leading expertise across a number of areas. It is skilled at advising on diverse matters, including campaigning, as well as political and electoral-related activity. The group advises a whole host of education charities, and some almshouses. The national practice is adept at dealing with crisis management issues, such as Charity Commission investigations, and frequently advises a considerable number of mature social enterprises, faith-based charities, and complex historic trusts. In addition, it excels in advising on cross-border legacies and on charity registrations. It is collectively led by Stephen Ravenscroft, Rosamund McCarthy Etherington, and Hannah Kubie. Julian Blake has particular strength in charity and public benefit work. Consultant Ann Phillips has a wealth of experience in working with large national and international charity structures, as well as charities with complex trusts and endowments. Reema Mathur acts for a wide range of charities, such as start-ups and historic institutions, in addition to grant-making and operational charities.

The ‘attentive’ Chris Priestley heads a ‘very experienced’ team at Withers LLP, which is lauded for its ‘pragmatic support and advice across a wide range of issues’. The practice acts for many of the largest operating charities in the country, and is a leading firm nationwide in advising NHS charities. Another key strength is its considerable expertise in strategy and governance matters, and it frequently engages at a senior level with the Charity Commission. Given its international reach, it is regularly instructed on charity matters spanning multiple jurisdictions. Philip Reed advises charities, not-for-profits, and philanthropists on a wide range of charity law matters, with a particular specialism in the education and arts sector. Alison Paines is vastly experienced in advising charities and other non-profit bodies, and those who contract with or donate to them. Roger Waite, who was promoted to the partnership in July 2024, works with all types of charities, foundations, and non-profits on an array of charity law, governance, fundraising, and regulatory matters. Amy Carter and Emma Flower are both well-regarded.

The team at BDB Pitmans ‘works together seamlessly and is always client-focused’. Jonathan Brinsden's areas of expertise span advising on cross-border transactions, and on social impact and ESG investments. The group advises all types of charities on charity registration and governance, as well as on commercial activities and corporate partnerships. It has considerable expertise in resolving trustee disputes, conducting charity investigations, and facilitating Charity Commission compliance. In addition, it has a significant philanthropy practice, and routinely helps charities and social enterprises on ESG matters. Penny Chapman is ‘highly recommended', and Sarah Williams advises on a wide range of governance and regulatory matters. Nicola Evans is also sought after for her work in this space. Harriet Ainsworth left the firm for an in-house position.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has a first-rate team, which continues to represent high-profile national and international charities, as well as historic educational institutions, ecclesiastical bodies, and military charities. Sarah Rowley heads the offering, which covers a wide spectrum of issues affecting charities. The group continues to be busy advising on matters such as fundraising, data protection, and mergers and acquisitions. In addition, it regularly assists the firm’s high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporate clients with their charitable giving. Through its Guildford office, it fields an excellent and dedicated legacy management team. Simon Weil plays a pivotal role in the department, and Liz Gifford is another key figure who has advised some of the UK’s well-known charities on their governance matters, fundraising activities, contracts, and collaborations with other entities.

Co-led by David Scott and Colin Howes, the first-rate team at Harbottle & Lewis LLP acts for a variety of clients, including corporate foundations, media-related fundraising charities, and subsidised arts organisations. Other significant clients include high-net-worth individuals who need assistance with their personal philanthropy. The group has significant experience in advising charities on corporate, governance, and taxation matters. Howes and Scott act as trustees and board advisors to charities. The group frequently works with the firm’s reputation management group to help clients that face public scrutiny. May Delaney covers a wide array of matters and is skilled at advising on appropriate structures for charitable giving, especially where there is an US element.

Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP’s primary focus is on high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth private clients’ needs, including philanthropy and charitable giving. In addition, under the direction of Jennifer Emms, the practice works with a number of large household name charities. Its charity practice is broad, covering the establishment and registration of operational and grant-making charities, through to advising on governance and conflicts of interest. It is also recommended for its work on mergers and serious incident reporting. Much of its work has an international dimension. Emma-Jane Weider is highly regarded and Ceris Gardner has been praised as a ‘giant of the charity world’.

Spearheaded by Andrew Studd, the talented team at Russell-Cooke LLP advises across the full spectrum of governance issues, mergers, and restructurings, as well as fundraising and data protection. It excels in advising on charity registrations and on Charity Commission investigations. In addition, it is frequently called upon to provide specialist charity property and employment advice to many household name charities. The group is also well-regarded for its work in philanthropy-related mandates. James Sinclair Taylor is recommended, along with Chris Rowse, who is a trusted adviser to numerous prominent national institutions. Pippa Garland advises charities across a wide range of sectors on all aspects of charity law.

Alison Talbot and Joanna Bussell jointly lead the team at Winckworth Sherwood LLP. It is particularly adept at helping charities when they face reputational issues, and when they need help with crisis management, managing investigations, and safeguarding concerns. It garners praise for its work in a wide array of other matters, such as fundraising and governance issues. Another area of expertise is advising on the transformation of public sector services into charitable organisations. Clients include the full range of charitable organisations across multiple sectors. Aiden Hargreaves-Smith acts for Diocesan Boards of Finance, individual parishes and clergy, Bishops, and Cathedral Chapters.

‘Their knowledge within the charities and not-for-profit sector is excellent’, say clients of Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP. Through its eight regional offices, it is well-placed to support charities nationally, and is ‘immersed in this sector’. The practice heads are London-based Jo Coleman and Emma Moody, who is based at the firm's Newcastle office. Coleman has an impressive track record of dealing with all aspects of charity law and governance, and she is particularly well-versed in advising membership organisations on complex charity mergers. She also has extensive experience in establishing new charitable organisations, as well as assisting existing national household names with new projects, and on risk management issues.

Malcolm Lynch heads the team at Wrigleys Solicitors LLP, which is lauded for its ability to ‘provide clear action plans’. The large and specialist charities and social economy group acts for a broad spectrum of regional, national, and international clients. Its key areas of work include advising on issues as diverse as charity governance, corporate foundations, and impact investments, as well as conservation and sustainability. It has an impressive roster of clients which spans faith-based charities, students’ unions, and independent schools. Other key clients include arts, cultural, and heritage charities. Leeds-based Elizabeth Wilson and Fiona Wharton, who is based at the Newcastle office, are both well-regarded.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is known for its faith-based charities work, and for its national and international charity expertise. The group is regularly appointed by the Charity Commission for England and Wales to act as an interim manager for charities. In addition, it is skilled at advising on financing matters for charities by way of grant work, social investment, and secured lending. The team continues to be busy advising on fundraising for charities through corporate partnerships, lotteries, and grants. Practice head Dominic Curran is highly regarded, and Matthew Wort and Edwina Turner are both recommended.

Ben Brice heads the practice at Blake Morgan LLP, which acts for some of the largest household name charities, not-for-profit, and social enterprise organisations in the UK, alongside a number of smaller local charities. The charities team advises on a wide range of issues, from registering new charities to advising on mergers and restructurings. The team regularly advises on many other matters, such as international charity matters, and on establishing effective safeguarding measures. With offices in London, the Thames Valley, the South Coast, and Wales, it is well-equipped to advise charities across the UK.

The ‘very competent and professional’ practice at Lee Bolton Monier-Williams is headed by Khalid Sofi. Clients range from places of worship and schools to housing associations, social enterprises, international aid organisations, and art and cultural institutions. Several members of the team act as Registrars or deputy Registrars for Anglican Dioceses. Sofi is particularly recognised for his work with Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, and he also regularly works with international aid organisations and philanthropic foundations. Anna Gaston joined the private wealth department in December 2023 from Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP.

Pothecary Witham Weld Solicitors provides ‘timely and reliable services as standard’.  Gerald Kidd sits at the helm of the team, which is known for its work with churches and religious orders, and in more recent years, it has increasingly been working with Islamic charities. Kidd is adept at handling issues facing religious bodies, as well as advising on charitable legacies, governance, and tax-related matters. Through Alexa Beale and Christopher Perkins, the group also specialises in advising charities on an array of property matters.

The large national team at VWV has sector specialist lawyers based across its four offices. Paul Voller, Con Alexander, and Chris Knight collectively lead the practice, which advises more than 1,000 charities of all types and sizes. It specialises in advising healthcare, art, and educational charities on charity law and trusteeship issues. It also advises a significant number of universities which are constituted as charities, as well as various faith-based charities. Bristol-based Rachel Tonkin was promoted to the partnership in July 2023.

Led by Helen Freely, Druces LLP continues to receive a variety of high-quality instructions from its long-established charity clients. It acts for more than 60 charities, and has particular strength in the education, arts, animal, religious, and health sectors. The group has also been busy working for some newer charities. Freely is adept at helping charities which are just launching or in the early stages of their existence. Caroline Cropley has particular experience in advising on structuring and governance issues from both a corporate and a charity law perspective.

Richard Norridge heads an ‘incredibly supportive’ team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. The group frequently acts for charities, NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, and multinational corporate clients of the firm. It is skilled at advising these clients on all aspects of their charitable and philanthropic activities, and its work typically has an international dimension. Matteo Yoon regularly advises national and international charities, not-for-profit organisations, and social enterprises on a wide range of charity, corporate, and commercial law issues.

The skilled team at Hunters Law LLP often assists charities and NGOs, as well as historical charities and almshouses, on a broad range of issues. Areas of expertise for the group include resolving trustee disputes and advising on governance matters. The practice, under the guidance of Dominik Opaliński, is well-placed to handle complex cross-border matters. Opaliński has a keen focus on safeguarding issues and on the enforcement of human rights. Paul Almy and Mark Stiebel are the other names to note.

Macfarlanes LLP is lauded by clients for ‘building solid personal relationships, working hard to understand the client’s business and for always being willing to go the extra mile’. Nicholas Harries heads the practice, which draws on specialist teams from across the firm to provide a range of services to both operational charities and individuals with their philanthropic aims. Clients are active in many sectors, from education and healthcare to sustainable development and the promotion of science. Much of its work has an international dimension.

Mishcon de Reya LLP provides a ‘very friendly service and excellent advice’. With Chris Willis Pickup at the helm, the team is praised for its ability to ‘very clearly explain quite complicated legal terminology’. It frequently advises leading charities in the technology, innovation, life sciences, and research sectors. Other areas of focus include working with international philanthropists, advising on social and impact ventures, and on charitable foundations. Andrew Goldstone is also well-regarded for his philanthropy advice.

The ‘excellent’ team at Payne Hicks Beach LLP provides a ‘first-class service’ under the joint direction of Rosamond McDowell and Martin Paisner. It frequently advises charities, philanthropists, public institutions, and other not-for-profit organisations on a wide range of issues. Areas of focus span tax, investments, and governance matters. It also frequently works with its dispute resolution, regulatory, and reputation management teams on charity disputes, and assists charities when facing regulatory intervention. Neasa Coen ,who was promoted to the partnership in June 2024, joined the firm from Forsters LLP in February 2024.

Daff Richardson and Hilary Aldred co-head a multi-practice team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, which advises a broad range of third-sector clients. These clients include local and national charities, and social housing and trade associations. It also advises religious institutions, family offices, philanthropists, and grant making charities. Oxford-based Richardson advises charities on many employment matters. Cambridge-based Aldred advises numerous charity and not-for-profit clients with particular expertise in advising charities in the education sector. Laura Dadswell is another key contact who acts for many wealthy families when they are creating philanthropic structures. Virginia Henley joined the firm in September 2024.

Led by Ian Davis, Trowers & Hamlins LLP advises its charity clients on the full range of legal matters, from commercial property and contracts through to advising on litigation, employment, and pensions issues. Davis advises on an array of corporate matters for charities, such as on the establishment of new organisations, mergers and acquisitions, and restructurings. The team also acts for major charitable funds. In addition, it frequently advises some large charities that raise funds from contracts, or from charging the beneficiaries of their services. Sharron Webster is also recommended.

Ashfords LLP fields an active charity legacy disputes team. It acts for a large number of third-sector organisations, including some national charities. The group has particular strength in advising on estate administration, and in providing valuable reputational guidance to its clients. Key members of the practice include Michael Alden, John Toth, and Robert Horsey. Kerry Morgan-Gould is another significant figure who continues to represent various national household name charities, and a number of smaller local charities, on complex and high-value cases.

Bristol-based Emma-Jane Dalley leads the team at DAC Beachcroft LLP, which acts for a wide range of charities. It is particularly well-known for its work with health and social care charities, as well as education charities. Other areas of focus include advising charities which are impacted by public law. The team is well-equipped to act for charities of all types and sizes, including large national charities which operate internationally. At the London office, Alistair Robertson is well-regarded.

Spearheaded by David Goepel, Edwin Coe LLP has a cross-departmental charities offering. It frequently draws upon the expertise of its property, litigation, intellectual property, corporate, and employment departments to assist its charity and philanthropy clients. Alison Broadberry is also recognised for her work with high-net-worth UK and non-UK domiciled clients on a wide range of philanthropic, tax, and estate planning matters.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has a wide client base and it often advises a number of high-profile bodies in the field of science, medicine, and research. The group regularly acts for commercial companies when they are seeking to establish corporate foundations, and also acts for all types of educational institutions. In addition, the team is well-placed to advise banks when they are lending to charities. Practice head Stephen O’Reilly is well-regarded, and Glynne Stanfield is also recommended.

At Excello Law, ‘their understanding of the market, regulation and how this can impact on the business is exceptional.’ Vanessa Williams heads the multi-disciplinary team, which encompasses corporate, governance, commercial, and employment specialists. The team also deftly covers the full spectrum of property, intellectual property, and litigation matters. Williams has a strong interest in churches and ecclesiastical issues. Sue Boyall is another highly-regarded member of the practice.

HCR Hewitsons is well placed to advise a wide variety of charities on the full range of issues. Clients include national charities, almshouses, and community interest companies. It also works with schools, universities, and Oxbridge colleges. Henley covers issues as diverse as dissolutions and serious incident reporting, as well as charity compliance. In London, Saffa Mir is a key name to note. Former practice head Virginia Henley has left the firm.

Mills & Reeve LLP has dedicated teams throughout its various offices nationally, which work for all types of charities including some of the largest charities in England and Wales. It regularly assists membership societies, health, social care, and medical research charities, as well as heritage and arts-related charities. It is also skilled at advising on philanthropy-related mandates. Practice head Neil Burton divides his time between the Cambridge and London offices.

Charlotte Watts heads up the department at Wilsons, which advises charities and individuals on contentious trusts and probate matters, in addition to legacy administrations. Peter Jeffreys is well-regarded for his advice to charities when there are problems with wills and estates. James Aspden also specialises in resolving trust and probate disputes.