Experience
I have been a charity specialist for over twenty five years. I used to be a Partner in the Charity and Social Enterprise Department at Bates Wells and now I combine updating clients on new legal developments with providing specialist advice on constitutional and governance issues, fundraising and trading.
I have co-written several charity law books and speak regularly at sector conferences.
Highlights
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Bates Wells Briefing
Each week Bates Wells sends out a briefing for charities and social enterprises covering legal, regulatory and policy announcements in the previous week. I compile and edit the Briefing, aiming to highlight developments that could impact on our clients and signpost to resources that may be helpful.
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Fundraising roundtables
Hannah Lyons and I organise Bates Wells’ fundraising roundtable discussions. Topics covered so far include: the proposed new Code of Fundraising Practice, and investigations by the Fundraising Regulator. We are always keen to hear suggestions for other topics.
- I regularly advise on the steps corporates must take when running promotions linked to charities.
- I have helped register some of the first charities set up using the relatively new legal form for charities, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
- I am working with clients, colleagues and through the Charity Law Association to clarify when the Charity Commission expects trustees to seek its consent to refuse or return a donation. This is a live issue as many charities seek to put in place policies on acceptance, refusal and return of donations.
Areas of expertise:
Services
Sectors
Qualifications and career
- BA Hons Natural Sciences and Law, Christ's College, Cambridge
- Admitted as a solicitor, 1991
- Trained at Clifford Chance, specialising in charity law at Sinclair Taylor & Martin (now Russell-Cooke)
- Joined Bates Wells, 1999
- Partner at Bates Wells, 2000-2004
Pro bono, memberships, and appointments
- Vice Chair, Little Green Pig
- Pro bono advice to community organisations in East Sussex
- Executive committee member, Charity Law Association
Insights
