Charities

What the team is known for

Established practice offering high-quality advice on a number of issues impacting charities. Regularly assists clients with governance issues and the establishment of charities as well as mergers, restructurings, property transactions and social investments. Acts for a broad range of charitable institutions, including educational bodies, social housing charities, corporate foundations, health trusts and faith-based charities.

Strengths

A client characterises the team as "knowledgeable and supportive," in addition to remarking that the lawyers showed "genuine interest and understanding of our organisation and what we were doing."

Another client explains that "their advice is concise, they take the time to explain things and they recommend courses of action that are easy for us to follow."

Work highlights

Assisted Youth Futures Foundation with its establishment, including advising on structuring, governance and agreements with the Big Society Trust and the Big Lottery Fund.

Notable practitioners

Fiona Wharton focuses her practice on the provision of governance and structuring advice to charitable organisations. She regularly assists with charity incorporations and mergers, and is noted for her knowledge of issues concerning the relationship between public sector organisations and charities.

Malcolm Lynch is well versed in advising charities on social finance and investment issues, governance and safeguarding matters as well as commercial transactions. He has additional experience assisting clients with contentious issues and relations with the Charity Commission.

Peter Parker advises charities on a range of matters including merger transactions, incorporations and partnership agreements. He also regularly assists clients with the raising of funds for social investment matters. A client reports: "He is able to explain complex issues simply and find win-win solutions to difficult problems. He also has great tact and empathy in dealing with sensitive issues and people."

Sylvie Nunn is highly renowned for her expertise in advising on charity establishments and incorporations, governance and structuring issues as well as grant-making agreements. According to an interviewee, "she is very committed to her clients, goes into the right level of detail and is a good lawyer to do business with."