Department profile
Serle Court

Charities

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Serle Court

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Charities - London (Bar)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Serle Court has an established reputation in the charities market and houses members who have been present in many of the most prominent cases of recent years. Individuals here represent charities in rate relief cases, trustee disputes and appeals against Charity Commission decisions. They are also sought after for advice and representation by both the Attorney General and the Charity Commission. Other areas of interest include tax and trust law matters and judicial reviews. Recent cases handled include Free Grammar School of John Lyon within the Town of Harrow-on-the-Hill v HM Attorney General, an unusual case involving a claim by a major public school to amend its charitable purposes and being the first case on the relevant powers in the Public Schools Act 1868.

Nicholas Hockney is a practice director at Serle Court.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The Serle Court clerks are very good.

    Charities respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jonathan Fowles
    Jonathan Fowles

    Jonathan Fowles

    Jonathan Fowles is an impressive barrister across all aspects of charity law who regularly advises charities on constitutional matters and counsels trustees as to their duties and capacities. Much of his work is highly sensitive, and his instructions include a number of significant contentious cases in the sector. He has experience with statutory inquiries and is an expert in cases with reputational damage angles. He co-edits 'Tudor on Charities' along with William Henderson.

    • His knowledge was second to none and he became part of the team immediately. We could not have done the case without him.

      Charities respondentUK Bar

    • Jonathan is a fantastic barrister, hugely expert in and dedicated to the charity sector. We hugely value his advice, approach and the fact he is immensely pleasant to deal with as an individual.

      Charities respondentUK Bar

    • Jonathan is absolutely superb, really clear, accessible and always generous with his time. He is so incredibly knowledgeable.

      Charities respondentUK Bar

    • Jonathan is an excellent technical lawyer.

      Charities respondentUK Bar

    • He is really great on complex trust advice.

      Charities respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Serle Court (1)

London (Bar)

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