England - London • Private client
BDB Pitmans
With the ‘highly recommended’ Penny Chapman at the helm of BDB Pitmans’ team, the nationally recognised practice advises all types of charities on charity registration and governance issues, as well as on their commercial activities and on corporate partnerships. In addition, it has considerable expertise in resolving trustee disputes, conducting charity investigations, and facilitating Charity Commission compliance. The team advises numerous high-profile charities, grant makers, funders, and start-ups across various sectors such as the health, education, faith and arts industries. Jonathan Brinsden has considerable expertise in diverse areas such as cross-border transactions, and social impact/ESG investments, in addition to charity sector collaborations. Increasingly, the team is advising many philanthropists, and has been advising on safeguarding obligations and serious incident reporting. Nicola Evans is another name to note along with Sarah Williams. Harriet Ainsworth also plays a key role in the department.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very high quality expertise. An in-depth knowledge of the charity sector’.
‘Nicola Evans has huge experience and technical knowledge in the field of charity law’.
‘Excellent partnership with strength in depth. Very responsive to our needs'.
‘A wide and deep knowledge of the charity/not-for-profit sector. Helpful and practical advice'.
‘Jonathan Brinsden is very experienced and knowledgeable. He is well connected in the charity/not-for-profit sector. His advice is practical and timely. I always enjoy my dealings with him'.
‘We are delighted with BDB due to their timing in returning our queries, their capability to deal with different matters at the same time, and their concern in assisting us to always be compliant and updated according to all the regulators' requirements. People are brilliant there'.
‘Jonathan Brisden, the partner who is our point of contact, has vast knowledge with regard to legal matters in charities, and we feel incredibly secure about his recommendations'.
Key clients
- ABF The Soldiers Charity
- Air Ambulances UK
- Barts Charity
- The Big Give Trust
- Blind Veterans
- Christ Church, Oxford
- Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust
- Goldsmiths Students Union
- HALO Trust
- Holocaust Education Trust
- Jewish Care
- Landmark Trust
- Macular Society
- MS Society
- Nuffield Health
- The Pret Foundation
- Royal National Theatre
- RNRMC (Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity)
- ROH (Royal Opera House)
- Royal Star and Garter Homes
- Ruth Strauss Foundation
- World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Work highlights
- Advised Blind Veterans UK on extending its charitable objects, to enable its world leading experience of treating those suffering with blindness or visual impairment as a result of injures in warfare, to help those suffering similar injuries fighting for the Ukraine.
- Represented Nuffield Health in the Supreme Court in responding to a challenge by Merton Council on a novel question on the proper test for 80% mandatory charity relief from business rates.
- Advised the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust on the charity’s successful expedition to find Shackleton’s ship Endurance, including advice on grant funding and various commercial aspects, from IP to hiring helicopters.
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Penny Chapman