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> Experience > Institutions and businesses > Charities and non-profit > Charity law and governance

Charity law and governance

It has never been more important for charities and non-profits to show robust governance. We work with a great many large charities to ensure that their trustees understand their responsibilities and have structures in place to meet regulatory requirements.
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It's vital that your legal team understand your vision and then find ways in the charity law context to help you make it happen.

We work with over 65% of the UK’s largest charities because we take this approach and focus on commercial solutions so you can keep having the greatest impact possible.

Trustee relationships

As the group of people that have ultimate responsibility for governing your charity, it’s obviously essential that your trustees are aware of what their role entails.  We work with many of our charity clients to provide bespoke trustee inductions and training as well as establishing working processes for decision-making and risk management.  This can relate to a particular project or more generally – for example developing a board manual.  We often facilitate trustee workshops to support a broader governance review, and then support our clients in putting in place the new processes.

We also have a particular niche handling disputes within trustees, and recently supported a major non-profit client in handling a move by a faction to remove a particular trustee.
 

Working with the sector regulators

Whether it’s the Charity Commission or Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in England, the Office of the Scottish Regulator or the Singapore Commissioner of Charities, your relationship with your relevant regulators is key.  It is essential to your interests that we also have good working relationships with the regulators.  Our team is very involved in the sector and lobbying.
  
Thanks to our large tax team, unlike other charity firms, we also have strong relationships with the IRS, HMRC, the Hong Kong Revenue Department and other tax authorities which is very useful in set up and in working with your major donors.
 

Royal Charter organisations in the UK

We act for more charities established by Royal Charter than any other firm – charities like the British Red Cross Society; SSAFA Forces Help; The College of Optometrists; the Arts Council of England; The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development; and, the NSPCC.

We have worked on the amendment of the Charter on its bye-laws.  We write the section on the law relating to Royal Charter bodies in ‘Tolley’s Charities Manual’.

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Recent recognition

2021 STEP Private Client Awards finalist for charity team of the year
Finalist for STEP Charity Team of the Year 2021
Ranked in Chambers UK 2021
Charities (Band 2)
Leading firm in UK from Legal 500 in 2021
Leading firm for charities and not-for-profit
2020 STEP Private Client Awards finalist philanthropy team of the year
Finalist for STEP Philanthropy Team of the Year, 2020
2017-18 STEP Private Client Awards finalist for charity team of the year
STEP Private Client Awards - Finalist for charity team of the year 2017/18
2017 Recognized by Best Lawyers for Withers Bergman LLP
Recognized for non-profit/charities law, tax law and trusts and estates law in San Diego
Withers LLP top ranked in Chambers UK in 2017
Ranked in Band 2 for charities

Our team

Rebecca L. O'Toole

Rebecca L. O'Toole

Partner | San Diego

Rebecca L. O'Toole

Partner | San Diego

Private client and tax

Email Rebecca
+1 858 400 1302
Steven J. Chidester

Steven J. Chidester

Partner | San Diego

Steven J. Chidester

Partner | San Diego

Private client and tax

Email Steven
+1 858 400 1304
Stacy Choong

Stacy Choong

Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore

Stacy Choong

Partner, Withers KhattarWong* | Singapore

Private client and tax

Email Stacy
+65 6922 3718
Philip Reed

Philip Reed

Partner | London

Philip Reed

Partner | London

Charities

Email Philip
+44 20 7597 6650
Alison Paines

Alison Paines

Partner | London

Alison Paines

Partner | London

Charities

Email Alison
+44 20 7597 6057
Alana Petraske

Alana Petraske

Partner | New York

Alana Petraske

Partner | New York

Charities

Email Alana
+1 212 848 9849
Paul M. Roy

Paul M. Roy

Of counsel | New York

Paul M. Roy

Of counsel | New York

Private client and tax

Email Paul
+1 203 974 0332
Roger Waite

Roger Waite

Senior associate | London

Roger Waite

Senior associate | London

Charities

Email Roger
+44 20 7597 6623
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Insight

26 October 2022 | article

Update on the implementation of the UK Charities Act 2022: changes to ex gratia payments postponed

26 October 2022 | article

Charity Commission publishes new guidance on political activity and campaigning by charities in the UK

26 October 2022 | article

Commission Inquiry opened into the Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre as trustee disputes affect the charity's governance and administration

25 October 2022 | article

UK Fundraising Regulator opens review of the Code of Fundraising Practice

26 September 2022 | article

Charity Commission for England and Wales Inquiry: Moss Side and Hulme Community Development Trust

26 July 2022 | article

Fundraising update: ensure your charity's compliance with the Fundraising Preference Service

Typical clients and industries include

Charity workers collecting littered plastic bottles

Charities and non-profit

Our significant practice in the non-profit sector means our lawyers can handle governance, mergers, commercial projects and day-to-day issues such as employment while you focus on your mission. Find Out More
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Leaders and senior executives

We help business leaders to manage their responsibilities at work and home – from advising on employment contracts and regulatory matters, to dealing with tax, wills and prenuptial agreements. Find Out More
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Sponsorship

Sponsorship deals can be highly beneficial to both parties. Our global team has supported some of the world’s top campaigns and can assist with everything from contracts to negotiating deals. Find Out More

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Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

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