Stone King LLP works nationally and within Yorkshire on behalf of a significant range of clients, including prominent names in the education, environmental, and heritage sectors. The Leeds team is headed by Tom Murdoch, who ‘provides top class support and service’. Murdoch has expertise advising on major structural transitions within the charity sector, including new and innovative structures. In addition to traditional charities, Murdoch’s client base includes philanthropic trusts, educational institutions, and charitable think tanks. Tom Morrison specialises in the charitable education sector, and covers strategic, governance, contractual, and commercial issues. Sam Dowgill has expertise in regulatory and compliance matters, with a key focus on the environmental sector.
Charities and not-for-profit in Yorkshire And The Humber
Stone King LLP
Practice head(s):
Tom Murdoch
Other key lawyers:
Tom Morrison; Samuel Dowgill
Testimonials
‘The team provide a depth of knowledge and exceptional service. They are available at short notice for urgent matters, but also provide strong ongoing support and advice.’
‘Tom Murdoch provides top class support and service, balancing legal knowledge with sector expertise, and brings a real human touch to the engagement.’
‘Stone King approach is relational, not transactional. They proactively seek to learn about, and become invested in our business in terms of our vision and mission, and they incorporate these into their thinking and solutions.’
‘The standout strengths are the extent to which the team work to understand what we as a client are trying to do, moving well beyond explaining clearly what the relevant law says, putting themselves in our shoes, understanding what we are trying to do, and shaping the advice around that.’
‘We have worked primarily with Tom Murdoch. Key qualities include a palpable intellectual curiosity about how the law impacts practice, careful tailoring of advice to specific case studies, and ability to set out resourceful and practical options.’
‘Tom Morrison is a (further) education specialist who uses his experience to provide clear, pragmatic legal advice that supports our objectives whilst minimising our risks. ’
‘Stone King are well-versed in charity legal issues, and take an informed and pragmatic approach to our issues. When engaging with our social and impact investment programme, they have been very helpful, and have also collaborated well with other firms on the technical issues of investment structures. ’
‘Stone King LLP have been supportive and responsive professional advisors. The breadth of expertise they are able to provide has enabled me to provide proportionate responses to sometimes challenging circumstances.’
Key clients
The Resolution Foundation
The Society of Antiquaries
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust
Citizens UK
Interim managers of the Kantor Foundations
Pathfinder Group
Blue Marine Foundation
British Ecological Society
Lancaster & Morecombe College
Think Ahead Organisation
Galloway’s Society
The Royal Society of Medicine
Nelson and Colne College
Petroc College
Nottingham College
Work highlights
- Advised the Resolution Foundation on the structuring and governance implications of establishing a novel venture fund for social investment, called WorkerTech.
- Advised the Society of Antiquaries on diverse matters, including the Society’s relationship with partner organisations.
- Advised Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust on electoral regulation affecting charities as non-party campaigners.
Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
Wrigleys Solicitors LLP‘s large specialist team supports charity and social economy clients in the full range of matters, with experience acting across the country and internationally. The group has particular aptitude advising faith-based charities in their activities. Malcolm Lynch leads the team and has significant experience in matters relating to impact investment, the social economy, and sustainability. Ecclesiastical law expert Elizabeth Wilson heads the faith team within the group, while Nat Johnson is noted for her expertise advising faith-based charities. Clare Lawrence is noted for her supplementary strength in trust law. Peter Parker is a core team member and covers impact investment, commercial contracts, and financial services regulation.
Practice head(s):
Malcolm Lynch
Other key lawyers:
Peter Parker; Nat Johnson; Clare Lawrence; Chris Billington; Elizabeth Wilson; Nick Dunn
Testimonials
‘The team has significant expertise in the charity and not-for-profit sector, particularly in relation to cooperative and community benefit societies.’
‘Malcolm Lynch and Peter Parker are longstanding and valued advisers and supporters. They are highly knowledgeable while also being personable, practical and commercially aware, and they are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Superb client service – they are extremely open and transparent. Give extremely thoughtful advice and really interrogate our instructions to give us the best result. Extremely skilled finance lawyers and they know our sector and its nuances really well. Very helpful to know-how and wider sector guidance. ’
‘Wrigleys have much more experience in working with religious communities that are also registered charities than two other firms which I have used for various matters. The team work very effectively together and competently use modern technology for meetings, exchanging and making available documents etc., where hard copies are not essential.’
‘Above all, they take a real interest in us as clients and as people with hopes and fears, plans and dreams, which generates a lot of confidence for us in their handling of our affairs.’
‘They, and especially Elizabeth Wilson and Nick Dunn, generate a sense of being truly interested in what we are aiming to achieve and of working with us rather than just for us, displaying endless patience and thoroughness in dealing with all the complexities of our project and with our questions along the way.’
‘I’ve been thoroughly impressed with this practice’s unique blend of expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for their clients. Their team’s strengths lie not only in their deep legal knowledge, but also in their ability to truly understand and empathise with their clients’ needs.’
‘Overall, I believe Wrigley’s stands out as a beacon of excellence in the legal industry, offering not only top-notch legal representation but also a personalised and innovative approach to client care.’
Key clients
Allia
StepChange Debt Charity
The Society of the Precious Blood
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House
Vow Europe
Joint University Council
Charity Tax Group
Charity of Thomas Holroyd
Harrison and Potter Trust
Edge Ministries
Work highlights
- Acted in the completion of a number of loan and bond issue arrangements facilitated by Allia.
- Worked with The Society of the Precious Blood (Burnham Abbey) to review their governance structure.
- Advised on the relationship between Vow Europe Limited foundation and the corporate group.
Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard‘s charity department works within the firm’s full service offering, providing charity sector clients comprehensive support in commercial, regulatory, and contentious matters. The group additionally has strength in advising on charity commission investigations and inquiry work. The group is led by the highly experienced Pervinder Kaur, whose practice covers investigations, mergers, and the formation of charitable entities. Laura Woffinden covers the administration of ongoing charities, the establishment of new charities, and the incorporation of existing charities.
Practice head(s):
Pervinder Kaur
Other key lawyers:
Yorke Eaton; Laura Woffinden
Key clients
Bedingfield’s Trust
Leeds Beckett University
Work highlights
- Acted for the trustees of Bedingfield’s Trust, supporting the trustees in the administration of the charity and providing advice as and when required.
Hemingways Solicitors Limited
Hemingways Solicitors Limited fields a team with experience in both contentious and non-contentious charity sector mandates. The group is particularly active in the sport and education industries. Team lead Laurence Gavin covers a range of work, including mergers, public procurement law, and corporate governance matters. Founding partner Ian Hemingway is a key contact for contentious mandates.
Practice head(s):
Laurence Gavin
Other key lawyers:
Ian Hemingway
Testimonials
‘Laurence Gavin combines experience in charity and commercial law which gives a full service on contractual and trading subsidiary matters as well as core charity law. The advice is hands-on at a high level.’
‘Laurence Gavin has a wealth of experience across the charity and commercial sector and has worked at a senior level in an international firm. He has a great depth of knowledge and brings experience from many different charities too.’
‘Led by Laurence Gavin, I have always found the team to give solid practical advice. We are currently dealing with a large outsourcing programme. Inevitably, there are a lot of moving parts. Hemingways have been extremely proactive in not only managing the legal programme but also foreseeing the next tranche of work.’
Key clients
Barnsley Community and Voluntary Services
Builders Merchants Federation
East of England Broadband Network
Key Fund Investments Limited
Sheffcare Limited
Sheffield City Trust
Sheffield Theatres Trust
Sheffield Museums Trust
The British Fluoridation Society Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Key Fund Investments Limited on its participation in a number of funding programmes.
- Advised Luxembourg-listed leisure operator Sheffield City Trust on its funding arrangements with Sheffield City Council.
- Advised Barnsley CVS on its acquisition of the charitable undertakings of Priory Campus and also Voluntary Action Barnsley.
Lupton Fawcett
Lupton Fawcett‘s department is particularly active on behalf of religious charities, with specialist ecclesiastical law aptitude. Chris Burns co-leads the department alongside David Whitaker. Burns covers the full range of charity governance and regulation issues, with a specialism in the education sector, while Whitaker leads the ecclesiastical team, and has a record in real estate matters.
Practice head(s):
David Whitaker; Christopher Burns
Key clients
Province and Diocese of York
Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance
The Grammar School at Leeds
Scarborough College
Parents and Friends of the Grammar School at Leeds
Work highlights
- Supported the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance on the full range of legal issues with a particular focus on ecclesiastical, property, charity and education advice.
- Supported the Grammar School at Leeds and its supporting charities with a wide range of legal services.
Mills & Reeve LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP acts on behalf of prestige clients such as the British Library and the Natural History Museum on commercial, regulatory, and governance matters. Jointly leading the department are Mark Ashton and Neil Burton, the latter of whom is based between Cambridge and London. Andrea Newman advises on real estate matters, while Rebecca Pallot is a key contact for employment matters in the charity sector.
Practice head(s):
Neil Burton; Mark Ashton
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Pallot; Andrea Newman
Testimonials
‘The team are well able to deal with complex employment matters particularly well.’
Key clients
Francis Crick Institute
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
The Society of Operating Engineers
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (UK)
Work highlights
- Provided full service advice to the Francis Crick Institute.
- Acted on the new research centre for the Natural History Museum.
- Appointed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on a full service appointment.
Schofield Sweeney
Schofield Sweeney is particularly active in the education sector, advising academies, private colleges, and schools on all relevant charity law matters. Areas of expertise include the academy conversion process, the establishment of free schools, and mergers and re-organisations. Andrew Hurst leads the team from Bradford. Hurst is experienced in issues of development and governance within the charity sector. Founding partner Chris Schofield is a key name.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Hurst
Other key lawyers:
Chris Schofield; Karen Crutchley
Testimonials
‘Never any bother and always available for the clients.’
‘Karen Crutchley has been strong in dealing with a large group of lawyers and has resolved all issues in a timely manner.’
Key clients
Bradford Culture Company Limited
Knaresborough Old Peoples Welfare Association
The Stevenson Charitable Trust CIO
Saloman Foundation
Actually Education
National Children’s Centre
Penny Appeal
Northern Star Academies Trust
The Basildon Academies
South Westmorland Multi Academy Trust
The Adnan Jaffery Academy Trust
Peak Edge
AIM Academies Trust
South Cumbria Multi Academy Trust
Cumbria Education Trust
Furness Education Trust
Changing Lives Learning Trust
Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust
The Crossley Heath School Academy Trust Limited
Watergrove Trust
Bronte Academy Trust
St Mary’s Academy Trust
SHARE Multi Academy Trust
Ashville College
Kala Sangam
RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch
Work highlights
- Advised ZAD UK & Internationals on the formation and establishment of a grant-making charity and its registration as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) at the Charity Commission.
- Advised Furness Education Trust on updating their articles of association to the latest model articles drafted and approved by their primary regulator, the Department of Education.
- Advised Friends of the Wesley Otley Limited on the formation and establishment of a community benefit society and its registration as a CBS.
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP advises charities and not-for-profit organisations on the full range of governance, transactional, and regulatory matters, with experience at the regional, national, and international levels. In addition to covering education, animal welfare, and healthcare, the group has key strength in the religious sector. Emma Moody, who is based between Newcastle and Leeds, leads the team. Mark Honeywell and Katie Dawson are key names.
Practice head(s):
Emma Moody
Other key lawyers:
Mark Honeywell; Katie Dawson.
Testimonials
‘I find WBD to be responsive and experts in charity law. They are friendly and professional, and their advice is timely.’
‘Emma Moody is a trusted expert in all aspects of charity law and regulation, and her advice is invaluable. She is very responsive and commercially aware. Her advice is always given in context, risk assessed and solution-focused rather than just the straight forward legal position.’
‘The head of charities is professional and deals with all issues with empathy, and patience. She shows me that really cares, and that she can help. If I have a difficult problem, she will resolve it quickly and provide effective solutions.’
Key clients
York Diocesan Board of Finance
BBC Children in Need
Dogs Trust
York Minster
Pocklington School
Humankind Charity
Everyturn
Mental Health Matters
Absolute Return for Kids
Aysgarth School
Saint John of God Hospitaller Services
St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust
NCFE
Central Bedfordshire College
Work highlights
- Advised the York Diocesan Board of Finance Limited and the York Diocesan Board of Education on a broad array of legal matters.
- Advised the Dogs Trust on its merger with the Worldwide Veterinary Service and Mission Rabies.
- Advised a national charity in the welfare sector on a board effectiveness review which involved an in-depth review of the board’s governance and effectiveness.
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is particularly adept in the incorporation of charitable organisations, and supplements its charity advice with firmwide specialisms of tax, property, and IP. Daniel Hammond, described by clients as ‘fantastic to work with,’ leads the team, and has further expertise in corporate law.
Practice head(s):
Daniel Hammond
Testimonials
‘The team is always available to help and advise us in a professional, friendly and personable way. We feel that we are in safe hands.’
‘Daniel Hammond has been fantastic to work with and incredibly supportive of our charity since the beginning. His friendly approach makes him a pleasure to work with, and we have an excellent working relationship.’
‘Daniel Hammond is a highly competent professional and a real person who listens and understands with a genuine interest in our charity. I would trust Daniel to advise any size of charitable organisation and cannot recommend him highly enough.’
‘Daniel Hammond provides a personal, responsive, practical, professional and timely service. He is always willing to explain the thinking behind his advice.’
Key clients
Hull United Charities
Hull IVF Trust
St Paul’s Amateur Boxing Academy
The Viola Trust
Matthew Good Foundation
Work highlights
- Advised The Viola Trust in relation to its charitable activities.
- Provided ongoing legal support to the Matthew Good Foundation.
- Provided advice and assistance to an existing client which had decided to set up a charitable foundation, including preparing a detailed grant-giving policy and achieving registration of the corporate foundation.
McCormicks
McCormicks is noted for its long term relationships with prominent groups such as the Premier League Charitable Fund, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the War Memorial Trust. Team lead Peter McCormick is a trustee of numerous charitable groups, and provides guidance on a range of constitutional, development, and governance issues. Private client specialist Elaine Lightfoot is a key name.
Practice head(s):
Peter McCormick
Other key lawyers:
Elaine Lightfoot
Testimonials
‘McCormicks has a great team with someone always available to help and advise. They all share an ability to communicate in simple language, clearly explaining what you need to know and what to do to get the desired outcome.’
‘All those we deal with provide excellent and prompt service. Our main contact is Peter McCormick, who liaises with his colleagues to ensure we deal with the appropriate person for our specific issue at any one time.’
Key clients
Harrogate International Festivals
John Strutt Centre for Parrot Conservation/John Strutt Memorial Foundation/John Strutt Conservation Foundation/The John Strutt Charity
The Premier League Charitable Fund
War Memorial Trust
The Football Foundation
The Helen Feather Memorial Trust
The Harrogate Operatic Players
The Royal Horticultural Society
The Outward Bound Trust
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Ryedale Special Families
Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust
Work highlights
- Continued to advise the estate of the late John Herbert Strutt on the complex estate and the associated trusts and charities with regards, in particular, to the proposed future development and/or sale of various properties within the residuary estate.
- Advised the War Memorials Trust on a wide range of matters, including the drafting of new governing documentation and advice regarding the charity’s relocation of premises in London.
- Provided a full service to The Premier League Charitable Fund with regards all commercial and charitable arrangements between the charity, its funding partners and specialist service providers.
Wilkin Chapman Rollits
Sectors covered by the Wilkin Chapman Rollits team include sports, education, and heritage, with a client list which includes numerous prominent and long-established regional names. Gerry Morrison leads the Hull-based team and covers all aspects of charity legislation. ‘Extremely efficient and knowledgeable’ senior solicitor Harriet Wheeldon is experienced in incorporation and charity registration.
Practice head(s):
Gerry Morrison
Other key lawyers:
Keith Benton; Harriet Wheeldon
Testimonials
‘They have a personal approach; the team make you feel like you’re the only client that they are dealing with.’
‘Gerry Morrison is always helpful and interested in what we have to say, and when working with her, she goes above and beyond. Harriet Wheeldon is knowledgeable and always on hand to help.’
‘A very professional and knowledgeable group who work hard at delivering the desired outcomes for their clients.’
Work highlights
- Advised on the incorporation of the trustees of the Beverley Consolidated Charity and the overhaul of the charity’s governance and constitution.
- Acted for Edukos Trust in respect of the expansion of the multi-academy trust to include St Nicholas Primary School in Beverley, East Yorkshire.