Charity law and non profit

Charity employment law, safeguarding and personal data

The charity and social business team's employment specialists provide solutions to help you manage your workforce, from advice on contracts and handbooks or on best practice and process to defending claims.

Charity employment law

An introduction and overview to employment law for charities

We understand the priorities and needs of charities and not-for-profit organisations. Our charity employment experts give clear, practical HR advice that takes into consideration the legal, regulatory and cultural context in which your charity operates.

We provide support with employee, volunteer and people issues ranging from contracts, policies and compliance, to dealing with tricky grievances and defending claims in the employment tribunal so can help you with whatever challenge you are facing. 

How our charity law solicitors can help you

Key services offered

We can help you with the full breadth of employment matters including:

  • contracts, agreements and policies for employees, consultants and volunteers
  • performance, capability, disciplinary and grievance procedures
  • complex workplace investigations
  • safeguarding, data protection and health and safety in the workplace
  • restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements
  • restructures, redundancy and TUPE
  • employment disputes and claims including discrimination, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal
  • settlement agreements

Why choose Russell-Cooke for charity employment, safeguarding, and personal data?

About our charity law and not for profit law team

Our charity employment lawyers are experts in their field. Our employment lawyers in the charity and not for profit team work exclusively with not-for-profit organisations.

We are true specialists, and as such are regularly asked to speak on HR topics at third sector conferences and contribute to charity publications including Civil Society and Charity Finance magazine. Several of our employment lawyers are themselves charity trustees so we know the value of excellent advice that is clear, tailored to your charity, and allows you to make decisions with confidence.

Testimonials and legal directory quotes

Here are some comments made about us.

Here are some comments made about us.

Carla Whalen's client service and general level of service, level of sophistication and commercial vision are very strong. Carla is my organisation's go-to. 
Chambers' client (2024)

Carla has been an amazing support with wise advice, quick response, careful follow up and a good sense of perspective and humour! I would thoroughly recommend her ability to get a difficult job done.
Chambers' client (2024)

Carla has always been incredibly helpful and swift to reply, and provides really useful explanations in layman's terms.
Pause Creating Space for Change, Client

Carla guided us through a complex and delicate legal situation by drawing on her wealth of experience. Her upbeat disposition was a huge asset that helped us keep perspective through some pretty grim situations.
Thames Explorer Trust, Client

I'm always impressed by the responsiveness of the team and the excellent guidance and support we receive.
Chambers UK (2024)

Charging information

Charges are based on hourly rates plus administrative charges and disbursements but we’re flexible and are happy to discuss charging rates in relation to your budget for a particular piece of work. Where there is unpredictability or for the initial stages of a project, we’ll provide an estimate of your likely legal costs and will update this as your requirements or the circumstances of the work change.

For work where we can predict or clearly anticipate the work to be done, we can also act on a fixed or capped fee basis.

We’re happy to discuss your requirements free of charge and will then provide an estimate of costs.

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Wrongful and unfair dismissal charging information for charities

We provide advice and representation to employers who are defending claims brought by employees...

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.

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