Stone King LLP works nationally and within Yorkshire on behalf of a significant range of clients, including prominent names in the education, environmental, and heritage sectors. The Leeds team is headed by Tom Murdoch, who ‘provides top class support and service’. Murdoch has expertise advising on major structural transitions within the charity sector, including new and innovative structures. In addition to traditional charities, Murdoch’s client base includes philanthropic trusts, educational institutions, and charitable think tanks. Tom Morrison specialises in the charitable education sector, and covers strategic, governance, contractual, and commercial issues. Sam Dowgill has expertise in regulatory and compliance matters, with a key focus on the environmental sector.

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP‘s large specialist team supports charity and social economy clients in the full range of matters, with experience acting across the country and internationally. The group has particular aptitude advising faith-based charities in their activities. Malcolm Lynch leads the team and has significant experience in matters relating to impact investment, the social economy, and sustainability. Ecclesiastical law expert Elizabeth Wilson heads the faith team within the group, while Nat Johnson is noted for her expertise advising faith-based charities. Clare Lawrence is noted for her supplementary strength in trust law. Peter Parker is a core team member and covers impact investment, commercial contracts, and financial services regulation.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s charity department works within the firm’s full service offering, providing charity sector clients comprehensive support in commercial, regulatory, and contentious matters. The group additionally has strength in advising on charity commission investigations and inquiry work. The group is led by the highly experienced Pervinder Kaur, whose practice covers investigations, mergers, and the formation of charitable entities. Laura Woffinden covers the administration of ongoing charities, the establishment of new charities, and the incorporation of existing charities.

Hemingways Solicitors Limited fields a team with experience in both contentious and non-contentious charity sector mandates. The group is particularly active in the sport and education industries. Team lead Laurence Gavin covers a range of work, including mergers, public procurement law, and corporate governance matters. Founding partner Ian Hemingway is a key contact for contentious mandates.

Lupton Fawcett‘s department is particularly active on behalf of religious charities, with specialist ecclesiastical law aptitude. Chris Burns co-leads the department alongside David Whitaker. Burns covers the full range of charity governance and regulation issues, with a specialism in the education sector, while Whitaker leads the ecclesiastical team, and has a record in real estate matters.

Mills & Reeve LLP acts on behalf of prestige clients such as the British Library and the Natural History Museum on commercial, regulatory, and governance matters. Jointly leading the department are Mark Ashton and Neil Burton, the latter of whom is based between Cambridge and London. Andrea Newman advises on real estate matters, while Rebecca Pallot is a key contact for employment matters in the charity sector.

Schofield Sweeney is particularly active in the education sector, advising academies, private colleges, and schools on all relevant charity law matters. Areas of expertise include the academy conversion process, the establishment of free schools, and mergers and re-organisations. Andrew Hurst leads the team from Bradford. Hurst is experienced in issues of development and governance within the charity sector. Founding partner Chris Schofield is a key name.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP advises charities and not-for-profit organisations on the full range of governance, transactional, and regulatory matters, with experience at the regional, national, and international levels. In addition to covering education, animal welfare, and healthcare, the group has key strength in the religious sector. Emma Moody, who is based between Newcastle and Leeds, leads the team. Mark Honeywell and Katie Dawson are key names.

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is particularly adept in the incorporation of charitable organisations, and supplements its charity advice with firmwide specialisms of tax, property, and IP. Daniel Hammond, described by clients as ‘fantastic to work with,’ leads the team, and has further expertise in corporate law.

McCormicks is noted for its long term relationships with prominent groups such as the Premier League Charitable Fund, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the War Memorial Trust. Team lead Peter McCormick is a trustee of numerous charitable groups, and provides guidance on a range of constitutional, development, and governance issues. Private client specialist Elaine Lightfoot is a key name.

Sectors covered by the Rollits LLP team include sports, education, and heritage, with a client list which includes numerous prominent and long-established regional names. Gerry Morrison leads the Hull-based team and covers all aspects of charity legislation. ‘Extremely efficient and knowledgeable’ senior solicitor Harriet Wheeldon is experienced in incorporation and charity registration.