Russell Cooke Putney London 2

About Rebecca

I advise charities and other not-for-profit organisations on governance and operational matters, as well as individuals looking to set up a new charity. My experience in these areas, along with time spent working and volunteering for charities, allows me to bring both a legal and practical perspective to clients’ issues.

Rebecca specialises in governance matters. She assists charities, other not-for-profit organisations and individuals with issues such as:

  • setting up new charities
  • drafting and amending governing documents
  • support with charity registration applications
  • charity incorporations and mergers
  • setting up trading subsidiaries
  • trade mark registrations
  • reviewing and drafting contracts, including for grant funding, sponsorship, fundraising, licensing, partnerships and other types of collaboration
  • general governance issues, such as governance policies, serious incidents and board management

Rebecca trained at Russell-Cooke and joined the team on qualification.

Prior to becoming a solicitor, Rebecca worked for several years in legal research, publishing and knowledge management. She has experience working within the charity sector, including an information/publications role in a human rights charity and voluntary experience in the areas of criminal justice, prisons and homelessness.

We have been very pleased with the excellent standard of Rebecca’s work on these complex pieces of work. She has kept in close touch, carefully and clearly explained the legal issues to us non-experts and liaised really well with our partners.
Olly Newton • Executive Director • Edge Foundation

Experience

  • Setting up new charities, including those with operations overseas
  • Achieving charity status for clients whose registration applications have previously been rejected or who have received complex questions from the Charity Commission
  • Drafting and advising on the amendment of charity governing documents, for charitable companies, CIOs, unincorporated associations and trusts
  • Assisting unincorporated charities with becoming charitable companies or CIOs or setting up corporate trustees.
  • Registering charity trademarks with the UK Intellectual Property Office
  • Setting up charity trading subsidiaries and advising on their management, including cost sharing agreements and deeds of covenant
  • Drafting and reviewing contracts, including for commercial participator arrangements, grant funding and partnerships.
  • Supporting clients when things go wrong, including in relation to serious incident reporting, trustee disqualification and internal board disputes
You have been phenomenally helpful.
Client

Education

  • Obtained an LPC, London Metropolitan University, Distinction
  • Obtained a BVC, University of Law, Outstanding
  • Obtained an LLB Law, Cardiff University, First Class
Rebecca and Carla have provided invaluable support and advice over the years – always listening to our issues and coming up with really good and practical help. They have certainly made my job that much easier!
Client

Rebecca's highlights

News

30.05.2024

Russell-Cooke promotes five senior associates

Russell-Cooke has announced five senior associate promotions that will take effect from 1 July 2023...
Harriet Allsop, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, property litigation team. Rebecca Cumming, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team. Helena French, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team. Fiona Buckland, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, real estate, planning and construction team. Olivia Llewellyn, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, private client team.
Multiple Authors
2 min Read
Harriet Allsop, Rebecca Cumming, Helena French, Fiona Dos Santos, Olivia Llewellyn
News

09.05.2024

Is your charity or trading subsidiary prepared for the significant shifts in company law?

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“ECCTA”) is making some important changes to company law...
Rebecca Cumming, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team. Hebe Robinson, Trainee in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, dispute resolution team.
Multiple Authors
3 min Read
Rebecca Cumming, Hebe Robinson
Videos

22.01.2021

Charities and the Freedom of Information Act

Rebecca Cumming, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team.
Rebecca Cumming
1 min Read
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