Charity law is our specialism at Third Sector Law. All types of charities are within our expertise; from charities for the relief of aged, impotent or poor people and the advancement of education and religion, to the making of philanthropic gifts by private individuals.
We can advise on Charity registration including making applications for registration, advising on the effects of registration, types of charitable purpose, exempt and excepted charities objections to registration and threatened removal of charitable status.
We can help you to choose the most appropriate legal structure for your activities, whatever they are, and can advise on:
- Trusts
- Unincorporated associations
- Companies
- Industrial and Provident Societies
- Friendly Societies
- Corporations, chartered, statutory
- Clubs
- Associations
- Schools and Foundations
- Almshouses
- Recreation grounds and community amateur sports clubs
- Community Interest companies
- Complex structures and trading companies.
We can help you in setting up and running your charity. We can help your organisation navigate the changes arising from the Charities Act 2011 and the changing economic climate. Whether the issue is funding, providing services or charitable gifts, wills and will trusts we will always do our best for you and your organisation. Dealing with disputes on behalf of charities and trustees is a specific area of expertise, as is advising on the appointment, removal, and powers and duties of trustees be they special, nominated or ex-officio trustees.
The sector can appear highly regulated and we can help in relations with the Charity Commission, dealings with the Charity Tribunal, Treasury Solicitor, and the Courts. Rights of visitors and other regulatory bodies are within our experience. Similarly, schemes, both cy–pres and administrative, property problems, grants and custodian trustees can be advised on. We can advise on mergers of charities and dissolutions in all circumstances. We can advise on property matters, including almshouses and those of religious bodies.
We understand issues concerning public bodies and their role within the voluntary sector, fundraising agreements, capacity building, tax efficient giving and charities operating overseas.