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VWV

Charities: Legacy Disputes

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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VWV

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About

Provided by VWV

Charities tell us that they want a law firm that provides pragmatic and commercially focused legal support for their trustees and senior management teams to help them deliver the best outcomes for their beneficiaries.

Our experienced team of charity lawyers is always on hand to provide practical solutions to problems and to give the confidence to react positively to opportunities.

We have a large team of sector specialist lawyers carrying out a wide range of work for a diverse range of clients, much of which is complex and sensitive. Our charities team is one of the largest outside London, although our clients are based throughout the UK and overseas. Within the wider charity sector, we specialise in advising charities involved with faith healthcare, the arts and education. We also specialise in advising public sector bodies such as local authorities on charity law and charity trusteeship.

We are trusted legal advisers to a great many charity trustees and senior managers, who rely on our charity law expertise and our 24/7 support. Every client relationship is managed by a partner who commits to knowing your charity's unique culture and is supported by a team of specialist charity lawyers who all have a genuine passion for charities and what they do.

Clients (9)

  • University of Bristol
  • Soil Association
  • Diocese of Truro
  • Diocese of Gloucester
  • Harpur Trust
  • King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham
  • Royal College of Surgeons
  • Society and College of Radiographers
  • Malvern Hills Trust

Industries (6)

  • Charities / Not for Profit
  • Education
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Sports

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Charities: Legacy Disputes - UK-wide

What the Team is Known For
VWV advises regional and national clients on all issues related to charities and their operations, including governance, procurement, state aid, collaborations and compliance. The team additionally offers commercial support on real estate, employment, data protection and transactional projects. The firm is best known for its independent school and university clientele, but also advises healthcare organisations as well as faith-based charities and environmental organisations.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • VWV continued to support the Royal College of Surgeons of England with an ongoing programme of constitutional change.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are remarkably easy to communicate with, being very articulate both in legalese and in lay terms. They are very quick to respond and take great effort in understanding the brief on each case.

    Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

  • VWV has superb sector expertise, personable relationship management, quick response times from senior team members and great flexibility on technically complex commissions.

    Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

  • The Charity team is coordinated across practice areas and worked seamlessly to consider the legal and regulatory approach. Communication is clear, precise and timely.

    Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

  • The Charities team have a robust and deep understanding of the charity sector and tailor their advice to your individual context. It is helpful, meaningful and understandable.

    Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

  • VWV have a long and well established charity team, with strength in depth. Their specialist knowledge and experience of charity law sets them apart from others.

    Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Con Alexander
    Con Alexander

    Con Alexander

    Con Alexander is a renowned adviser to clients from a number of areas, including universities and schools, conservation charities and grant-giving organisations. He frequently assists clients with complex governance structures, transactional matters, trustee issues and funding arrangements. Alexander also possesses extensive experience interacting with regulatory bodies.

    • Con's expertise in complex areas of Charity Law is second to none and he has delivered excellent advice that is both technically superb and commercially realistic.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Con Alexander is strong in every area. His knowledge and his advice are both formidable and reassuring. Cool under pressure, but always unfailingly on the right side of the smart deal.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Con is experienced with a clear and sensitive understanding of all the issues, and their impact beyond the charity.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Con is always available and responsive, including outside of 'office hours' when needed.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Con Alexander is an outstanding charity lawyer. An absolute fount of knowledge.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK
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  • Neasa Coen
    Neasa Coen

    Neasa Coen

    Neasa Coen advises grant-making organisations and public sector bodies on a range of issues, including reputational and real estate issues. She additionally advises private sector companies on their commercial and sponsorship dealings with charities.

    • Neasa has excellent work ethic coupled with deep legal knowledge and an analytical mind. She makes for an excellent lawyer.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Neasa has given us great service. She is knowledgeable and very competent.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Neasa offered really practical advice as she guided us through our charitable registration process.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK
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  • Shivaji Shiva
    Shivaji Shiva

    Shivaji Shiva

    Shivaji Shiva frequently advises a wide array of charities on issues such as charity governance and commercial matters, as well as interactions with the Charity Commission. He has particular expertise handling matters on behalf of faith-based charities.

    • Shivaji is incredibly helpful. He is also a legend to articulate his work very clearly and succinctly to our Board. A pleasure to work with.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Shivaji Shiva is excellent!

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK
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  • Rachel Tonkin
    Rachel Tonkin

    Rachel Tonkin

    Rachel Tonkin focuses her practice on providing in-depth advice to Charities and not-for-profit organisations on charity law and governance issues. She has experience of advising on such matters as charter development and constitutional change programmes.

    • Rachel has great specialist knowledge, is methodical and clear-headed and a pleasure to work with. She has provided well informed advice making decision making and planning smoother for my team.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Rachel consistently delivers a high standard of service marked by responsiveness, clarity, and reliability.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Rachel Tonkin went above and beyond to make herself available at all times.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK
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  • Laura Chesham
    Laura Chesham

    Laura Chesham

    Laura Chesham is an up-and-coming partner who is regularly called upon to advise charities on restructuring, merger and grant related matters. She has a particular interest in working with faith organisations.

    • Laura brings a great depth of wisdom and expertise to help navigate complex governance questions and ensures the charity is positioned well for success.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Laura is our lead partner. Her client focus is second to none and as well as her own excellence in Charity and Ecclesiastical Law she is our main gateway to the wider firm's expertise.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK
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  • Leila Goodarzi
    Leila Goodarzi

    Leila Goodarzi

    Bristol-based Leila Goodarzi is a partner in the VWV legacy protection team. She is skilled in advising high profile clients on a variety of legacy dispute issues.

    • Leila is very approachable and engaging.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • I have really valued and enjoyed my interactions with Leila. She's very 'human' in her approach, supportive and well versed.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Leila is always responsive and articulate, and takes pains to understand the brief.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Leila is super friendly, very approachable, very willing to answer all our questions. She is open and explains things really well.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK

    • Leila is very personable and has a good grasp of her field of expertise.

      Charities: Legacy Disputes respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at VWV (6)

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Members

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