The large national team at VWV has sector specialist lawyers based across its four offices. Paul Voller, Con Alexander, and Chris Knight collectively lead the practice, which advises more than 1,000 charities of all types and sizes. It specialises in advising healthcare, art, and educational charities on charity law and trusteeship issues. It also advises a significant number of universities which are constituted as charities, as well as various faith-based charities. Bristol-based Rachel Tonkin was promoted to the partnership in July 2023.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has in-depth knowledge of charity law and issues and balances this with a practical and pragmatic approach, recognising the client's perspective rather than taking a purely 'legalistic' view.’
‘The individuals I deal with are a pleasure to work alongside. They are knowledgeable, responsive and professional. Con Alexander and Rachel Tonkin are both partners who I have worked with for 15 years and they remain my go-to people for any charity law matters. ’
Key clients
- Bruton School for Girls
- Engineering Council
Work highlights
- Advising the trustees of Bruton School for Girls on analysing the position of the charity and advising on alternative procedures to progress towards a new structure, including advising on a public consultation and negotiations with the Charity Commission.
- Advising the trustees of Islamic Centre of England on matters in response to a Charity Commission inquiry, an appeal to the charity tribunal against the appointment of an interim manager governance matters, and a range of commercial and operational issues.