Charities: Scotland

Turcan Connell is "a first-rate firm" in charities law and is noted for the "outstanding" service its provides to a varied client base. Sources note the firm's strength in providing advice to institutional charities, grant-awarding trusts and regulators, and praise the firm's expertise in private client work and trusts. The team provides a full service to clients, advising on tax, governance, acquisitions and regulatory issues, as well as employment, property, succession and probate matters. Recent highlights include acting for the National Trust for Scotland on a complex pro-bono governance review, and acting for the National Galleries of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy over the loan arrangement for major Old Master paintings. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Mackintosh heads the firm's charities legal team. A former member of the Macfadden Commission, he specialises in advising clients on tax, succession and trust law and asset protection. Douglas Connell is "outstanding," according to market sources, and he recently served on the Reid review of the National Trust for Scotland.

This firm's charities team advises local authorities, regulatory bodies, housing associations and a number of religious, armed forces and international charities. The firm recently acted on behalf of the Linda Norgrove Foundation in setting up the charity within a limited timeframe. The team's diverse list of clients includes the Bethany Christian Trust, the Edinburgh Rudolph Steiner School Trust and Penumbra.

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Hodge is a full-time partner in the charities team and he "gives reasonable advice in clear English and is practical, timely and particularly accessible." Market sources also value his sector knowledge, saying that "he understands what we are trying to do - what and how we work." Brenda Rennie splits her time between the firm's private client and charities team, specialising in trust work on behalf of the firm's third-sector clients.

This six-partner team advises a number of third-sector clients on the corporate aspects of operating as a charitable organisation. The firm acts on behalf of a wide range of clients with regards to mergers, consortium structures, governance and contractual matters. The firm recently prepared the first Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) constitution on behalf of South Seeds SCIO, and advised the St Andrew's Ambulance Association on an overhaul of its royal charter.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Phillips "is approachable, understands our business" and is "one of the most knowledgeable people in Scotland in this area," according to sources. He recently acted for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations in creating a template transfer agreement for its members.

This firm's charities team is noted for its responsive solicitors and its competitive billing practices. The private client and commercial lawyers that make up Morton Fraser's charities team recently acted for Family and Community Development West Lothian on the merger of nine after-school care clubs and the creation of Simply Play, a new charitable company. The team has also advised Deaf Action on its merger with Tayside Deaf Association, while it has provided wide-ranging advice to Social Investment Scotland.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Since consultant Scott Rae's move in-house, partner Adrian Bell has become the key charities contact at this firm.

Based within the firm's private client practice in Edinburgh, this charities team advises on mergers, governance, registration, and regulatory and employment matters. Clients include the RCN Charitable Trust, Fettes College, the Royal Society for the Relief of Indigent Gentlewomen of Scotland and the Sailors' Society Scotland.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anne Swarbrick is noted by sources for her charities work and litigation experience, and she recently acted on behalf of the Governors of Dollar Academy Trust in relation to an extensive reorganisation scheme. Partner Robin Stimpson advises the National Trust for Scotland on a wide variety of issues, and recently acted on behalf of St Leonard's School on the renegotiation of a high-value development option relating to a part of the school's estate.

This firm's compact charities team advises clients on mergers, emergency aid payments, registration, governance and contentious executry cases. The firm draws its clients from amongst medical and military charities, acting for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Royal British Legion, amongst others. It also acts for NGOs and has recently advised not-for-profit salmon fishery groups.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tom Murray heads the firm's charities team and recently advised the Earl Haig Fund Scotland on its proposed merger with the Royal British Legion.

The firm is noted by market sources for giving "good, practical guidance" to its clients, advising on mergers, joint ventures and governance issues. The team recently advised the University of Edinburgh on its merger discussions with Edinburgh College of Art. It has also assisted in the creation of the James Hutton Institute, resulting from the merger of the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and the Scottish Crop Research Institute.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alastair Keatinge heads the charities team and, according to sources, he "understands the issues his clients face, and has real empathy with them."

This firm acts for charitable trusts, local authorities, educational and religious institutions and medical charities. It provides its clients with advice on trusts, governance, reorganisations, liability and investments.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gordon Wyllie heads the firm's charities team and has 30 years of experience advising third-sector clients on a full range of legal matters.

Noted by market sources for its "excellent service," this full-service firm advises clients on corporate, real estate, employment and contentious matters. The firm recently advised the Big Issue Foundation on novel new fund-raising techniques, as well as acting for Scotland's Colleges, which represents 99% of Scottish colleges.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Corporate partner Brenda Scott is praised for her "good, consistent advice" and she impresses market sources with her thorough commitment to the provision of pro bono advice to charity clients.

This firm's cross-departmental charities group advises clients on corporate, employment, real estate and banking matters. The firm has recently advised Roars not Whispers on its establishment and its successful application to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator for charitable status. It continues to act for National Museums Scotland and the National Library of Scotland.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eric Galbraith is the key contact.

This full-service firm acts for a number of charitable organisations, including major Scottish arts bodies, local authorities and private foundations. The firm recently advised the Ure Elder Fund for Indigent Widow Ladies on the promotion and drafting of the Ure Elder Transfer and Dissolution Act 2010. The team has also acted on the creation of the City of Glasgow College, through the merger of three existing colleges. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alan Eccles is the main contact.

This firm advises charitable clients on a range of corporate, employment and regulatory matters. MacRoberts' charities team acts for a large number of charities, trusts, voluntary organisations, educational and social care organisations, and social enterprises. The firm recently advised Learning and Teaching Scotland on a number of charitable and commercial matters, as well as providing employment and governance advice to Sense Scotland.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Duncan Osler heads the firm's charities group.

This national full-service firm advises its charitable clients on governance, tax, corporate and employment matters across the UK. The firm's charities team recently advised Glasgow Cultural Enterprises on its winding up and the transfer of assets to Glasgow City Council and Culture Sport Glasgow. The team also acted on behalf of the Western Isles Development Trust on the incorporation of a new community benefit trust. Further clients include the Hot Chocolate trust, Belfast Royal Academy, the University of Aberdeen and the Mark Scott Foundation. 

On 1st May 2012, McGrigors merged with Pinsent Masons. The resulting entity now trades as Pinsent Masons LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Caroline Wallace heads the firm's charities team.

The charities team at this well-regarded national firm comprises four dedicated lawyers and draws its wider membership from across a number of different practice areas and groups. The firm recently acted on behalf of South Lanarkshire Leisure on governance issues and a transfer of assets. The firm also acts for a large number of educational establishments, medical charities and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Malcolm Rust heads the firm's charities group and private client team. He has recently handled work for educational and religious charities. 

This firm is retained by over 200 charities, and it provides advice on governance, joint ventures, regulatory matters and group restructuring. The firm acts for a variety of clients, with particular involvement in the areas of community ownership and community power generation. The firm recently acted on behalf of Community Energy Scotland in a joint venture intended to deliver a community wind farm project. It has also acted for Machrihanish Airbase Community Company over the purchase of property from the Ministry of Defence.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Ewing recently acted on behalf of the Scottish Government in the establishment of the Scottish Recovery Consortium, as well as advising on the establishment of Bute Community Land and its purchase of Rhubodach Forest. 

This firm's charities team is drawn from its tax, private client and corporate practices. The team recently acted on behalf of both Bighearted Scotland and HIV Scotland on constitutional changes, as well as providing corporate governance advice to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Charities).

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Findlay heads the firm's charities team.