Parliamentary Agent service

When it comes to charities with complex structures, we can offer an unparalleled service.

Bates Wells’ Mark Abbott is the first (and currently only) Parliamentary Agent to enrol specifically to help charities and not-for-profits. This means that statutory charities, Royal Charter bodies and other organisations with complex structures can come to Bates Wells for rounded advice on the full suite of options available when it comes to making constitutional and structural changes.

We can also advise on the drafting of public acts, outsourced from central government.

How we can help

Combining knowledge of Parliamentary processes with knowledge of the specific requirements for charities and the charity sector, we can find the best and most proportionate option for you. We can help with:

  • Updating or obtaining new statutory provisions – e.g. charitable purposes, restrictions on spending capital, or outdated administrative provisions, by the full range of methods including use of the Charities Act powers, supplemental charters, Parliamentary (“s.73”) schemes or private Acts of Parliament
  • Interpreting legislation and advising you on its meaning and impact on you
  • Representing bodies that wish to petition in relation to a proposed private Act of Parliament
Meet our parliamentary agent
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