LAWYER PROFILE
Chris Priestley

Chris Priestley

UK 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Share profile
Chambers ranking badge
Withers
 Withers

Ranked in 1 practice area

Charities

UK-wide

14 years ranked

About

Provided by Withers

UK

Practice Areas

Chris is head of the firm's charities & philanthropy practice. Particular areas of expertise are: regulatory investigations; safeguarding; cross-border collaborations, structuring and fundraising; charity governance and mergers; Royal Charter work; and advice to educational and healthcare charities. Chris also advises on the structuring of complex charitable groups (both domestic and international) arrangements and the ownership by charities of underlying business and social enterprises. Chris has a strong reputation for advising corporate and private donors on their philanthropy strategies and the structuring of family foundations. He regularly addresses conferences on charity law topics, is a member of the executive board of the Charity Law Association and authored the ICSA Charity Trustee's Guide.

Career

Qualified in Scotland 1994 and England 1998. Solicitor with Robson McLean WS 1994-96; joined Withers 1996, became partner 2003.

Professional Memberships

Charity Law Association; Charity Treasurers’ Forum; Law Society of England and Wales.

Publications

The ICSA Charity Trustees’ Guide

Chapters in the ICSA Charities Handbook

The fundraising chapter of Tolley’s Charities Manual

Personal

Educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh 1974-1987; Edinburgh University 1987-1992. Trustee of Barrow Foundation UK; and W.O Street Foundation.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Charities - UK-wide

Band 1
Individual Editorial
Chris Priestley is the head of the charities offering at Withers and enjoys an excellent reputation for his advice to high-profile clients on domestic and international matters. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of governance and commercial issues, grant agreements and charity incorporations.
Learn more about this teamView ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Chris is a brilliant mind, with plenty of wisdom, experience and he is commercially aware.

    CharitiesChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

  • Chris is a great adviser on international matters and with a very down-to-earth approach for practical issues.

    CharitiesChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

  • Chris Priestley is always responsive and available to provide sage advice. His knowledge of the Charity sector is second to none.

    CharitiesChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Ranked Individuals at Withers (52)

London (Firms)

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership