Department profile
Edwards Solicitors

Charities

UK Guide 2026 : Northern Ireland

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Edwards Solicitors

Rankings

About

Provided by Edwards Solicitors

What people say about us:

Edwards Solicitors is the leading practice for charities and associated bodies in Northern Ireland ranked No 1 by Chambers UK for over 10 years with the the only leading band 1 solicitor, Sarah Burrows.

We represent many charities in Northern Ireland and further afield covering issues such as annual reporting, authorising transactions, changing a charity’s governing document, consents for charitable companies, general governance, making payments to trustees, mergers and closures, new powers for unincorporated charities, requesting a scheme, registration, religious designation, schools and charity registration, inquiries and charity tribunal proceedings. The team deals with daily queries relating to public benefit, private benefit, submitting annual monitoring returns, applications for consents and trustee personal liability. We also advise in relation to specialised services such as trustee & board training, group restructures, trading subsidiaries, joint ventures, mergers, serious incident reporting, charity fraud matters, safeguarding and charity property.

"Edwards & Co is the foremost firm in Northern Ireland for charity law. The firm is very commercially aware, providing clients with updates on changing aspects of the law."

Chambers UK

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Clients (4)

  • Craigowen Housing Association
  • Action Mental Health
  • Northern Ireland Hospice
  • The MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre)

Industries (6)

  • charity sector
  • social enterprise
  • not for profit
  • voluntary and community
  • housing associations
  • ben coms

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Charities - Northern Ireland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Edwards Solicitors is widely considered Northern Ireland's leading charity law practice. The firm's areas of specialisation include governance issues, mergers and restructurings, in addition to assisting with the attainment of charitable status. Edwards Solicitors caters to a clientele that includes charities working in mental healthcare, religion and social care. The team also offers expertise on statutory inquiries and regulatory matters.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their level of service and response is excellent and goes far beyond the normal client relationship. Their responses are always easily understood and the level of help and support given is excellent.

    Charities respondentUK

  • Edwards Solicitors would be considered the main legal firm in Northern Ireland for charities. Their depth of knowledge and responsiveness provided confidence at a difficult time for us.

    Charities respondentUK

  • The expert knowledge within Charity Law and Charity Commission for NI distinguishes them from other law firms in the area. The responses to complex matters are always measured and efficient.

    Charities respondentUK

  • We have found Edwards Solicitors to be highly professional: their advice and support have been most helpful, efficient and the advice was informed with clear expertise.

    Charities respondentUK

  • I appreciated the clear, concise and timely correspondence. Most of all I appreciated the guiding hand through a complex process. They created a relationship and a safe space with us as their clients.

    Charities respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Sarah Burrows
    Sarah Burrows

    Sarah Burrows

    Sarah Burrows demonstrates an expansive skill set in relation to issues facing charities. She is particularly adept at advising on the establishment and registration of charities, as well as issues surrounding grants and endowments, governance and compliance matters.

    • We have found Sarah's support to be invaluable.

      Charities respondentUK

    • Sarah has an excellent knowledge of Charity Law in Northern Ireland and has the personality to deliver her expertise to her clients sometimes across complex issues.

      Charities respondentUK

    • Sarah is outstanding and a true expert in her field. She is committed to ensuring we receive the best possible results and provides us with comfort in complex situations.

      Charities respondentUK

    • Sarah is a wonderful guide, we value her expertise and wisdom highly.

      Charities respondentUK

    • Sarah's versatility and knowledge have allowed us to move forward with planning a successful future following a very turbulent time.

      Charities respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Edwards Solicitors (1)

Northern Ireland

Members

Provided by Edwards Solicitors

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