Charities
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7406 1200Chambers Review
Maitland Chambers' members include some of the most renowned barristers in the market, who are regularly involved in seminal cases. Tackling advisory work as well as disputes, the team acts for a variety of clients, including charities and their directors, religious organisations and local authorities. Barristers here are also regularly instructed by the Charity Commission. Matters undertaken include appeals against the regulator's decisions, ratings relief disputes and cases concerning charities' constitutional issues. In the recent past the set has been involved in leading matters such as Keeping Kids Company, a very high-profile disqualification case concerning the conduct of directors of a charitable company, in which the judge considered the duties of the directors. Other cases of interest include an appeal in the Supreme Court case of Nuffield Health v LB Merton, an important decision on charity rating relief for fee-charging charities. The set has also been involved in the high-profile Mermaids v Charity Commission and LGB Alliance, challenging the Commission's registration of a gender-critical organisation and how it relates to the statutory criteria for charities. One solicitor, when asked about the experience of working with Maitland's barristers, said: "The set has an established track record and depth of understanding of charity law and charity-related matters."
John Wiggs is a senior clerk.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks are responsive, including at short notice. Danny Wilkinson was particularly helpful in liaising with the court."
"The clerks are attentive, quick to respond and generally great with fees."
"The clerks are really helpful and responsive."
"The clerks are responsive, including at short notice. Danny Wilkinson was particularly helpful in liaising with the court."
"The clerks are attentive, quick to respond and generally great with fees."
"The clerks are really helpful and responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Andrew Westwood KC has long experience of representing charities in contentious cases and has regularly acted for the Attorney General and the Charity Commission. He handles charities work as part of a wider chancery practice and is an expert on trusts and estates issues. His charities practice includes land and governance disputes, as well as constitutional and corporate advisory work. He frequently advises religious organisations and schools.
Maxim Cardew has a strong commercial chancery litigation practice and is frequently instructed by trustees and beneficiaries for charity disputes. He also has experience acting for and against the Charity Commission.
"Maxim's written advice was thorough, comprehensive and practical."
"Maxim has a brilliant mind and a growing authority."
"Maxim is an intelligent and client-focused barrister. He is both sensible and approachable."
Ted Loveday has a broad commercial and charities practice, with his recent cases including some high-profile challenges and complex disputes. He has experience in matters including First-tier Tribunal appeals, ownership disputes in the High Court, and complaints to the Charity Commission.
"Ted is incredibly clever and responsive."
"Ted goes above and beyond. He is fiercely intelligent and incredibly client-friendly."
"Ted provides legal and strategic advice on complicated issues in uncomplicated terms. He has an excellent way with clients, instilling trust quickly."
Michael Gibbon KC has been regularly involved with chancery disputes throughout his career and has increasingly undertaken a number of cases with charity aspects. He has recently been working on some high-profile cases that engage with important legal issues for the charities sector.
"Michael is analytical and his advice is sensible, practical and well considered."
Matthew Smith KC has appeared in several leading charity cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. He advises on all issues relating to charities including questions of trustee duties, land disputes and matters concerning charitable status and rates. He is also an expert on the law relating to charities and politics and is held in high regard across the board by his peers and clients. He has particular experience acting for schools and colleges.
"We could not have asked for more from Matthew. We have received excellent care and first-class, exemplary advice."
"I have always found Matthew incredibly knowledgeable and up to date."
"Matthew is scarily good. He is very bright and a superb advocate."
"Matthew knows his stuff inside out. He is user-friendly and a safe pair of hands."
Ranked Barristers at
Maitland Chambers
Silks (KC)
London (Bar)