Charity law and not for profit law

We know that no two charities are the same. That’s why we tailor our legal advice to your specific needs.

Understanding charity law

We know that no two charities are the same. That’s why we tailor our legal advice to your specific needs.

Recognised as one of the leading law firms advising charities in the UK, our specialist team works with hundreds of charities, ranging from household names such as the British Heart Foundation and UNICEF UK through to startups and local voluntary organisations. 

How our charity law and not for profit law solicitors can help you

Our charity law team advises across the full spectrum of governance issues, mergers and restructurings, HR and employment, fundraising, data protection, property disputes and transactions, international structures and charity regulation, including Charity Commission investigations.

We can help you with:

  • setting up a new charity
  • negotiating a lease, employment or contractual agreements
  • facilitating mergers
  • fundraising campaigns
  • service delivery contracts
  • charity litigation
Charitable giving and foundations

Philanthropy and charitable giving

If you would like to establish a family foundation or other philanthropic structure, we can guide you through the process of setting up and running a charity...

Charity employment law

Charity employment law, safeguarding and personal data

Our charity employment lawyers are experts in their field. We’re regularly asked to speak on HR topics at third sector conferences and contribute to charity...

Charity litigation

Charity disputes and charity litigation

Our charity solicitors work in collaboration with teams across the firm to resolve any difficulties arising throughout or at the end of a charity's life...

Setting up a charity and registration

Setting up a charity and registration

Our charity solicitors are proud to help people create change in the world. There can be a lot to consider when setting up a new charity and...

Charity Constitutions And Governing Documents

Charity constitutions and governing documents

Every charity needs a governing document that is appropriate, up-to-date and legally-compliant. Whatever your charity’s structure, our expert charity...

Strong specialist knowledge conveyed in ways that make sense, with a very can-do approach; looking at how to make something happen, rather than presenting the barriers that need to be overcome.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Our approach

A more thoughtful and holistic approach to charity law

Our technical expertise is widely recognised. We advise charities with unusual governance structures, including charities governed by Acts of Parliament, and charities with complicated group structures.

We believe in a more thoughtful and holistic approach to law, with our team of governance, commercial, property and employment lawyers working together to provide a comprehensive service to our clients.

Governance and commercial

Charity governance and commercial

All charities need an up-to-date constitution and governance policies to enable trustees to manage their charity effectively and stay...

International charities and not for profit

International charities and not for profit

Our charity law and not for profit team specialises in advising...

Property for charities

Property for charities

Charities deal with property in a variety of ways, sometimes through relatively simple arrangements and sometimes through bespoke...

Schools and educational charities

Schools and educational charities

Our charity law and non profit team increasingly advises both stated funded schools and independent...

Get in touch

If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our charity law solicitors by email, by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7510 or complete our enquiry form.

Get to know our charity law and not for profit law team


Russell-Cooke has handled all of our issues professionally and flawlessly.
Chambers UK (2025)
Charity law is a complex and specialist area of law and we always felt we were in safe hands.
Charity law client

Related insights

The latest news and insights from our charity law non profit team

News

24.01.2025

Russell-Cooke celebrates third year of partnership with Ethical Property Foundation

Russell-Cooke has entered their third year of partnership with property advice charity Ethical Property Foundation (EPF)...
Chris Rowse, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team. Clare Garbett, Senior associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team. Sam Morris, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team.
Multiple Authors
1 min Read
Chris Rowse, Clare Garbett, Sam Morris
News

23.01.2025

Do charity trustees have whistleblower protection?

Expert charity lawyer discusses a recent case in which a charity trustee claimed entitlement to such protections – including ‘detriment’, defined as...
Sam Lawn, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law team.
Sam Lawn
3 min Read
News

23.12.2024

The King’s Christmas speech at The Fitzrovia Chapel—BBC News

Charity partner Carla Whalen has been interviewed on BBC News at One on 23 December 2024, where, as Chair of the charity’s trustees, she commented on the...
Carla Whalen, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team,
Carla Whalen
1 min Read
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