Charities and not-for-profit

Debbie McIlwraith Cameron

Gillian Harkness-McKinlay

Marion Davis

Senior Associate Experienced in charity and public law matters, Marion is one of the few solicitors accredited by The Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in charity law.  She provides corporate, governance and business advice in relation to charities, social housing, regeneration, local authority and regulatory matters, including regulatory intervention. Many clients seek Marion’s advice on: becoming a charity; SCIOs and other constitutions for charities; non-charitable trading; proposed activities for charities and subsidiaries; contracts; policies; regulatory and governance issues. She also advises charities and trustees on applications for reorganisation under the Charities legislation or change of legal form, which are often complex and can involve more than one charity. For example, assisting a large unincorporated association to transfer into a company where, as well as charity regulatory requirements, there are specific requirements to meet in order to manage historic pension liabilities. Charities and other organisations working in highly regulated spheres seek Marion’s opinion on matters within the governance and regulatory areas in which she specialises. Marion also regularly provides training on charity law and good governance for clients and others, including the Legal Services Agency. Having completed a secondment with the charity regulator earlier in her career, Marion has particular insight into the Scottish charity regulation.

Alan Gilfillan

Responsible for advising charity clients in relation to regulatory and contractual matters. Includes charity reorganisation schemes, establishment of new charities, advice in relation to regulatory requirements including protection of vulnerable groups, data protection, lotteries and fundraising. Conducts regular training for charity trustees and assists those who are subject to regulatory inquiry or investigation.Also carries out work of a general commercial nature including business acquisitions and sales, partnerships and joint ventures, other commercial contracts.

Lianne Lodge

Lianne is Head of Charities and Not For Profit and an Associate in the Private Client team.  Lianne leads on advising our clients on charity law, governance reviews and philanthropic giving. Lianne also has a special interest in advising elderly clients and their families on asset protection, succession planning and issues surrounding incapacity and is the co-author of the second edition of the legal textbook ‘The Elder Client - A Practical Guide’

Gavin McEwan

Partner; head of charities legal team; accredited specialist in charity law; advises on the creation, dissolution and reorganisation of charities and all aspects of charity governance and regulation.