Shakespeare Martineau LLP has a strong base in the West Midlands and frequently acts for religious, cultural and educational charities. The department also fields a team which specialises in advising charities on contentious legacies and probate cases, and on legacy administration matters. Names to note include the national head of the team Catherine Rustomji. Rachel Gwynne, who is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, supports charities and not-for-profit organisations. Gwynne has a particular focus on corporate matters, and regularly assists banking clients when they are dealing with charity and not-for-profit borrowers.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Shakespeare Martineau LLP provide expert insight into charity law. They translate complex information from the Charity Commission and provide useful information about the impact on small charities like ours.'
‘Catherine Rustomji has a great talent of sharing complex information around charity law and governance in an easy-to-understand way which ensures that our trustees are well informed and clear on how they undertake their legal duties.'
- 'Catherine always takes time to understand the charity and its future plans, and works collaboratively with the team when discussing potential changes that could have an impact on the charity's articles of association.'
‘Our main point of contact was Catherine Rustomji. Catherine was very good at providing quick and helpful advice.’
Key clients
- Staffordshire University
- Fire Sector Federation Limited
- Diocese of Birmingham
- Heart of England Baptist Association
- Talyllyn Railway Holdings Ltd
- Trinity Hospitals CIO
- West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity
- Birtenshaw
- Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest
- North West Cancer Research
- Storrington Area Help Scheme
- Nottingham Bid Company Limited
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Newark on Trent St Mary Magdalene with St Leonard
- Rene House CIC
- Jamiat AHL – E – Hadith Banbury
- Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust
- International Fund for Animal Welfare
- Walsgrove Charities
- Municipal Charities
- Royal Mencap Society
- Response Organisation
Work highlights
- Advising HEBA – The Heart of England Baptist Association, and being recommended to its members to advise, on charity governance, legal structures and property.
- Continuing to advise the Church of England staff and churches regarding legal matters relating to employment, safeguarding, property and other general queries.
- Following a competitive tender, instructed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity to conduct a full governance review of the entirety of the charity’s policies and procedures to ensure compliance, consistency and best practice throughout.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Catherine Rustomji