Christine Rigby

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.

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.
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 it’s 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.

Charity

Social Enterprise

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