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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.