Gordon Reid > Moore Barlow > Guildford, England > Lawyer Profile

Moore Barlow
THE ORIEL
SYDENHAM ROAD
GUILDFORD
GU1 3SR
England
Gordon Reid photo

Work Department

Commercial property.

Position

I lead the charities team. I work with charities and independent schools of all shapes and sizes, advising on all aspects of charity law and practice – initial formation and registration, day-to-day advice on constitutional and governance issues, mergers, dealing with charity property and dissolution. I regularly run training sessions for trustees and governors, helping them to better understand their role and responsibilities.

I seek to get to know my clients well, to understand their priorities and challenges. I serve as a trustee for a number of faith-based organisations and two of Guildford’s oldest charities, this hands-on experience enables me to give practical advice to clients.

Career

Trained Moore & Blatch; qualified 1987; property department, Southampton 1987-92; partner Reid MacPherson 1992-97; Barlow Robbins LLP 1997-2001; partner 2001 to date.

Languages

French, German.

Memberships

Law Society.

Education

Royal School, Dungannon; Southampton University (1984 2(1)); College of Law.

Leisure

Tennis, golf, food and wine, travel, local Church.

Lawyer Rankings

South East > Private client > Charities and not-for-profit

(Leading partners)

Gordon ReidMoore Barlow

Moore Barlow has an expansive charity practice, with experience in the housing, education, religious and health sectors. The firm is also practiced in reputation management for charities going through a crisis. It has additional experience advising private philanthropists. Gordon Reid, whose specialisms include reputational and governance advice, heads the practice alongside Joanna Lada-Walicki, an expert in employment and pastoral concerns. Paul Ridout, who joined the practice from Hunters Law LLP in April 2023, focuses on advising faith-based charities on mergers and constitutional matters. George Shepherd is a key member of the team, advising youth, religious and health charities.

London > Public sector > Education: schools

Moore Barlow is adept at handling complex strategic work, advising independent schools and sector associations on a vast range of issues, such as inspections, data subject access requests, employment matters, exclusions, parental complaints, and safeguarding. The schools team, led by Joanna Lada-Walicki, assists in school acquisitions and mergers, strategic policy and statue reviews while Gordon Reid assists in all aspects of charity law as well as school mergers. Ben Collingwood is key for his expertise in matters concerning students with special educational needs. Adam McRae-Taylor and Olivia Stanton cover Teachers’ Pension Schemes (TPS) work, while Paul Ridout has a particular focus on faith schools.