The ’proactive’ and ‘knowledgeable’ team at Stone King LLP remains at the forefront of charity law. Led by faith charity expert Tim Rutherford, the group provides specialist advice on various issues, such as charitable status, crisis management, social enterprise and cross-border work, for a range of clients, including faith charities, almshouses and historic trusts . Christopher Jones has extensive experience in ecclesiastical property issues, routinely supporting CofE dioceses and parishes. Daniel Harris is an expert in cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters, while Luke Watson offers advice on national and international contentious probate and legacy disputes. Alexandra Steffensen is also an expert in faith-based charities and Alexandra Weatherdon’s diverse caseload includes governance and constitutional issues.

VWV’s broad practice has expertise in the full range of matters affecting charities. In particular, the charity and governance team specialises in advising healthcare, arts and educational charities, as well as public sector organisations. Laura Chesham spearheads the practice; she is an expert in faith-based entities, primarily those with CofE affiliations. Con Alexander is highly-regarded for his work across all areas of charity, company and trust law, and routinely advises on governance issues, transactions, endowment funds, fundraisings and restructuring matters. Rachel Tonkin is a key contact for charitable universities, while Kate Sherlock advises on safeguarding issues, including compliance with the Charity Commission’s safeguarding duties.

Charlotte Watts and Gillian Fletcher head up Wilsons’ charities and contentious trust and probate team. The firm excels in acting for a diverse range of top clients across all areas of will disputes, from Inheritance Act claims and fraud to Variation of Trusts Act applications and trustee removal and replacement applications. Watts routinely handles high-profile matters, such as Court of Protection work, and Fletcher is highly knowledgeable of the Charity Commission’s regulatory framework. James Aspden is notable for his work on high-value cases involving new and old money trusts, while Peter Jeffreys has a wealth of experience in the charity legacy sector. Clare Dyer joined the team in October 2024.

Ashfords LLP caters to a diverse client base, including a number of national charities, on a broad variety of matters, including Charity Commission reports and investigations, governance and compliance issues, fundraisings and M&A; the team also has specific expertise in legacy disputes. Robert Horsey is at the helm of the team, alongside Kerry Morgan-Gould and Michael Alden. Horsey is a specialist in contentious trust and property litigation, while charity expert Morgan-Gould represents prominent national charities as well as small local charities in disputes. Hannah Brittain also has expertise in legacy disputes, working with a broad range of national charities. Sasha Wicks is also recommended.

Catherine De Maid spearheads the philanthropy and charities team at Burges Salmon LLP. The team’s expertise spans pure charity law issues such as charity creation and governance issues, as well as private wealth and philanthropy work, often with cross-border elements. De Maid’s diverse client base includes charitable organisations and high-net-worth philanthropists, particularly those with a South African connection. Ross Simpson undertakes strategic land and rural property cases, while Jessica Chesterfield advises on corporate, governance, trustee and transaction issues. Jacob Ashforth and Scarlett Underwood are also key contacts.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP’s charities team has expertise that spans the full range of charity law and legacy disputes, as well as property, construction, employment and corporate issues. Julia Cox leads the team and has extensive experience dealing with the Charity Commission, handling trustee liability issues and incorporations. Co-head Ian Brothwood presides over the firm’s strategic land team, advising on property mandates. Penelope Byatt lends her expertise to constitutional and governance matters and also has experience advising on mergers and the establishment of new charities.

The charities team at DAC Beachcroft LLP offers ‘seamless services’ to a wide array of charities, with a particular focus on health and social care charities, educational charities, and charities impacted by public law. Emma-Jane Dalley is at the helm, and predominantly caters to clients within the health and social care and education sectors; she offers advice on all aspects of charity, trust and company law, although she is notable for her specialisms in key strategic projects, transactions and commercial arrangements. Ann-Marie Gregory and Georgina James are also names to note.

Foot Anstey has expertise in a broad range of issues affecting charities, from legacy disputes and commercial matters to charity law and governance work. Legacy dispute expert Lucy Gill leads the charities team, which includes Emma Facey, who also specialises in legacy dispute resolution and administration issues. Anna Phillips is the firm’s key contact for property matters, while Gavin Holt heads up the charity estate administration offering.

Michelmores LLP’s broad practice assists an array of charities, including those in the educational, environmental and animal welfare sectors. The charities and not-for-profit team excels in the full range of related matters, including legacy disputes, charity creation, regulation and governance issues, M&A, restructurings and other transactions and fundraising mandates. Edward Porter anchors the firm’s non-contentious offering and Tony Cockayne handles the contentious side. Promoted to partner in May 2024, Nerys Thomas specialises in conversions to a CIO, while Victoria Miller undertakes corporate issues such as charity law, structuring and trustee governance matters.

The charities and social enterprise team at Tozers Solicitors LLP has technical expertise in charity law and governance issues, with a particular focus on charity creation, constitutional and governance matters, restructuring matters and Charity Commission work. The Exeter-based team is led by James Evans, who offers advice on an extensive range of issues from charity start-ups and registration work to corporate transactions and commercial agreements. Vernon Clarke’s expertise combines property and charity law, while Martin Laver has a wealth of experience in commercial dispute resolution. Stephen Jennings is an employment law specialist, while Amy Laver focuses her practice on charity governance.

The charity team at Stephens Scown LLP is headed up by Laurie Trounce, and the group is well-placed to assist charities in a variety of sectors, including the housing, educational, healthcare, environmental, recreational and heritage spaces. Alongside Trounce, Olivia Miller is an expert in charity law and offers advice on the full spectrum of matters, from charity creation to mergers and restructurings. Tim Walmsley and Eliot Quevedo are also key members of the team.

Willans LLP’s charities and not-for-profit team has expertise in a wide range of charity matters, including commercial property, employment and business immigration issues, as well as pure charity law. Matthew Clayton and Alasdair Garbutt head up the team; Clayton is an employment and business immigration specialist and Garbutt is a key contact for property transactions. Nigel Whittaker handles real estate matters, while Charlotte Cowdell and Megan Bullingham lend their expertise to commercial property work.