Department profile

Charities

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Bates Wells

Our Charity and Social Enterprise team is one of the UK’s leading practices, acting for major charities, NGOs and household‑name organisations. We specialise in securing charitable status for innovative models and supporting new sector initiatives.

Known for its cutting‑edge work in social enterprise, our team has helped shape the sector - from initiating the Community Interest Company model and advising the Cabinet Office on social impact bonds to leading landmark cases such as Butler‑Sloss and the successful defence of former Kids Company trustees.

With deep, firm‑wide understanding of the charity sector, we have become the firm of choice for thousands of organisations across the UK. Whether clients are fundraising, managing property or developing new charitable purposes, our team delivers clear, practical and expert advice.

For more information: https://bateswells.co.uk/sectors/not-for-profit/legal-services-for-charities/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Charities - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Bates Wells has a top-rated charities team that provides a comprehensive service to several of the most prominent charities in the country across a broad range of sectors, including health, child protection and animal welfare. Several of the firm's lawyers sit on the boards of different charity-related bodies. The team advises on a full range of regulatory work, including governance, fundraising, legacy disputes and trustee issues, as well as a broad range of commercial issues, including investments, mergers, restructurings and corporate partnerships. The firm also offers standout expertise assisting clients with contentious issues, including inquiries by the Charity Commission.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Bates Wells advised The Scout Association on the appointment of King Charles as patron of the Scouts.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Bates Wells is incredibly professional and astute in both charity law and also the auditing needs of the charities and the information that they require. The work it does is impeccable.
Charities respondentUK
Bates Wells is understanding of the client, responsive to requests, takes a tailored approach and has strong knowledge of best practice with an ability to draw in specific experts where needed.
Charities respondentUK
Bates Wells brings to bear best-in-class technical expertise on charities law matters. Bates Wells really takes the time to get to know your organisation and the stakeholders within it.
Charities respondentUK
I really appreciate Bates Wells ability to understand us a client, to advise on the best solution which feels well thought through and tailored to our needs.
Charities respondentUK
I trust the advice of Bates Wells explicitly. I have found them to be friendly, professional and robust in their approach to defending the charity.
Charities respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Philip Kirkpatrick
Philip Kirkpatrick is deputy managing partner at the firm and a leading figure in the third-sector legal market. He boasts a track record of significant mandates, advising high-profile clients on issues ranging from commercial partnerships and restructurings to inquiries by the Charity Commission.
Philip Kirkpatrick truly cares about his charity clients and is passionate about improving charity governance.
Charities respondentUK
Philip is an exceptional lawyer and has a focus on achieving the outcome.
Charities respondentUK
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Band 1
Band 1
Thea Longley
Thea Longley is head of the charity team at Bates Wells and is a well-known adviser in the charities market who is highly versed in sensitive regulatory work and fundraising matters. Her practice also includes assisting with restructuring initiatives and providing general commercial advice.
Thea is simply a pleasure to work with.
Charities respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Leticia Jennings
Leticia Jennings has a wide-ranging litigation practice that sees her defend major household-name charities in legacy disputes. She also has experience advising on matters relating to charity governance and charity fraud.
Leticia is absolutely excellent. She is a good tactician and she believes in taking initiative in the matters she is involved with. She is technically superb. I can't praise her highly enough.
Charities respondentUK
She is very good at explaining things quite clearly and being upfront and direct in a good way.
Charities respondentUK
Leticia has been a trusted adviser to us on some very tricky contentious aspects of a matter and showed strong judgment.
Charities respondentUK
Leticia is my type of litigant. I like the way she balances litigation, she has the charities' interests very much in mind.
Charities respondentUK
Leticia always delivers an exceptional level of service. She is approachable and responsive and her work always reflects a high degree of legal sophistication, always of the highest standard.
Charities respondentUK
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Band 3
Band 3
Lawrence Simanowitz
Lawrence Simanowitz regularly assists large charities with regulatory questions and is experienced in safeguarding, governance and constitutional matters. He also advises charities on fundraising and data protection issues.
We really appreciate Lawrie's flexibility to our needs, sometimes in a changing environment, and his ability to find a solution in challenging circumstances.
Charities respondentUK
Lawrie is very practical and to the point. He cuts through complexities to find the answer that best suits your needs. Clear and helpful guidance.
Charities respondentUK
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Band 4
Band 4
Laura Soley
Laura Soley has broad expertise and regularly advises charities on governance, funding and challenges against the Charity Commission.
She is knowledgeable, has great skills and expertise. She found the solution we needed and put it in place.
Charities respondentUK
Laura is thorough, has attention to detail and is responsive.
Charities respondentUK
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Band 4
Band 4
Luke Fletcher
Luke Fletcher takes on substantial charity law mandates for a variety of charity and social investment clients. His broad practice includes assisting with charity fund formations and corporate reorganisations.
Luke Fletcher brings charity expertise, genuine commitment and intelligence to his work. He is not only focused and dedicated to the aims of his work, but he is also a pleasure to work with.
Charities respondentUK
I could not be more impressed with him on the way he has supported and advised us.
Charities respondentUK
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Band 4
Band 4
Simon Steeden
Simon Steeden is a London-based partner in the firm's charity and social enterprise team. He is noted for his proficiency in advising clients on a broad range of governance and financing matters.
Simon is very knowledgeable, of course, but I particularly like his approachable manner, his attentiveness and his clear and concise communications.
Charities respondentUK
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Band 4
Band 4
Stephanie Biden
Stephanie Biden leads the firm's work with faith-based charities with particular experience in complex governance issues impacting churches and other faith-based charity clients. She also has expertise in charity registrations and mergers with high-profile clients.
Stephanie's depth and breadth of charities law expertise and the impressive judgment she bring to bear on top are very impressive.
Charities respondentUK
Stephanie Biden is very shrewd and very quick.
Charities respondentUK
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Lucy Rhodes
Lucy Rhodes is a Partner in the charity and social enterprise team at Bates Wells. She has a particular focus on advising corporate and individual philanthropists on the establishment of charitable bodies.
Lucy is personable, great to work with, pragmatic, and gives excellent advice.
Charities respondentUK
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