Charities | UK Bar

Radcliffe Chambers is the pre-eminent set in the market and houses an impressive bench of standout practitioners. Its members routinely appear in the most significant charities matters and are regularly involved in cases that reach the Supreme Court, acting both for charities as well as for the Charity Commission and the Attorney General. Its wide client base includes multinational charities, clubs, housing associations, educational institutions and local authorities. Highlights include Jaffer v Jaffer, which concerned disputes related to a leading Islamic charity, and Attorney General v Zedra Fiduciary Services, a case looking at the validity of a charitable trust. The set has amongst its ranks a former Deputy Charity Commissioner, a former junior counsel to HM Attorney General in charity matters, and a former standing counsel to the Charity Commission. Radcliffe barristers demonstrate prowess in all manner of disputes, including those concerning trustee issues, ratings and legacies. One commentator praises the set, saying: "The advice given is always timely and practical."

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 the Supreme Court case of Rittson-Thomas v Oxford City Council,an important decision on the Schools Sites Act 1841, which is of ongoing significance in relation to a very large number of school sites and the local authorities responsible for them. 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: "Counsel here are able to handle the most complex matters with aplomb."

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 Nuffield Health v London Borough of Merton, a seminal case before the Court of Appeal raising what Lord Justice Peter Jackson called a "novel" and "fundamental issue of principle" as to the eligibility of premises owned by multi-site charities for relief from non-domestic rates. Another important matter of note was Butler-Sloss v (1) Charity Commission (2) HM Attorney General, a case where the court backed the investment policies of two trusts who had sought to align their targets in such a way as to combat climate change. One solicitor remarked: "Serle Court barristers are clearly charity law market leaders."

Wilberforce Chambers is a highly distinguished chancery set whose charities specialists frequently advise foundations, charities themselves and the Charity Commission on a diverse range of issues including those concerning commercial and tax questions as they impact on charitable bodies. Individuals are active on behalf of these clients in contentious matters as well, and also represent trustees and HMRC in cases concerning the meaning of a 'charity'. Clients further benefit from the set's well-renowned high-quality offshore expertise. One recent matter handled by the members was Jaffer v Jaffer and others, an important case concerning the governance of an international Islamic charity.