Charities: The South
This firm has specialist, high-level charity law expertise and it is able to address the full range of a charity's business needs. Recently the firm has acted for the Pilgrim Homes group of charities on its major restructuring, which included the amalgamation of small trusts.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Elizabeth Davis is based in Southampton but she also advises clients out of the firm's London office. Her charities practice encompasses governance, fund-raising, organisation structure and trading. Clients say: "She keeps an eye on the wider issues that face us."
This Tunbridge Wells firm is able to advise charities on employment, governance and property issues. The group also has specialist expertise in trust and estates disputes.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Leney advises charities and non-profit organisations on governance and corporate structuring. One of his areas of expertise is advising schools on Academy conversion.
The charities team at this firm is based in Bournemouth, and it has both contentious and non-contentious expertise. The group recently advised Bournemouth Methodist Circuit on setting up an independent charity to manage a family centre.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Geoff Trobridge is head of the charities team of this firm. His areas of expertise include registration, governance, mergers and funding. According to sources, "it's the level of care he takes with his advice that makes him stand out, as well as his technical insight." Geoffrey Thomas is head of the private client group, as well as the contentious trust and probate team. He advises charity clients in defending claims brought under the 1975 inheritance act.
This firm's charities team has experts that can advise on setting up charities, internal disputes, management structure and collaborative ventures. Its clients include the Diocese of Chichester, St Barnabas Hospice and The Lorica Trust.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Julian Chadwick heads the charities team across the firm’s offices.
The cross-disciplinary nature of the charities team at this firm means that its lawyers can advise clients on a wide range of issues including employment, property and trust issues. The firm's clients in this sphere include Sevenoaks School, the Royal British Legion and Holmewood School.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Highly regarded practitioner Jeremy Passmore is head of the charities team at the firm.
Simon Palmer heads the charities practice at Brachers LLP. Sources say:
"He is a no-nonsense, practical adviser who has supported us through diverse changes and challenges. Friendly and approachable, he has never let us down." Tim Smith of Griffith Smith Farrington Webb LLP has recently advised on the merger and takeover of several YMCAs in Sussex. He has experience within the charity sector as a manager, which gives him invaluable insight into the third sector.