Whilst there is considerable cross-over with other areas of practice, there are specific issues which affect charities that require a sound level of practical and knowledge based experience.
The Charities Commission provide excellent guidance on their own website at www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ but we are able to help you on most matters where you feel the need for independent legal advice.
Many trustees, particularly of the smaller charities, are lay volunteers, who are happy to act because they have a personal concern for the work of the charity. Nonetheless, they are obliged to comply with the fairly stringent requirements of the Charities Acts and of the Charity Commissioners, and this places a heavy burden and responsibility on them. We can help in advising trustees how to satisfy the various requirements so that whilst not incurring ongoing legal fees, they can run the charity in a proper manner.
Areas of work include:
- Trustee and Charity disputes
- General advice on trustee duties
- The creation, merger and dissolution of Charities
- Property and the need to observe legal requirements
- Schemes and Orders
- Disputes over Wills
- Employment