Livia Cullens

Experience

I joined Bates Wells in 2019 as a solicitor in the Charity and Social Enterprise team having completed my training contract at another charity specialist law firm.

I advise charities and social enterprises on a range of issues including formation, structures and registration, governance and trading subsidiaries. I am a member of the Culture + Creative sector group and regularly assist with charity intellectual property issues including assignment and licencing of IP and drafting and advising on software development agreements.

I am also especially interested in advising faith-based organisations.

I recently advised a cultural charity who wanted to widen their charitable objects

This involved advice around wording of the new objects and drafting the relevant Charity Commission application, as well as giving practical advice on liaising with members and stakeholders as regards the amendment.
I have assisted a charity with assignment of its intellectual property

Here, we drafted the relevant documentation and assisted the client in their negotiations with the assignee. We also undertook a review of previous agreements to determine rights over the intellectual property being assigned.
I advised a charity on updating their policies and reviewed drafts to ensure they align with Charity Commission guidance and best practice

I also provided practical tips on implementation of the new policies.

I provide advice on the setting up and use of trading subsidiaries by charities
I advise charities on modernising their governing document including drafting the amendments and guiding them through the process

Charity

Faith-based Organisations

University of Cambridge (Peterhouse), Law, 2011-2014
BPP, Legal Practice Course, 2014 – 2016
Paralegal, Charity & Social Enterprise and Employment teams, Stone King LLP, 2015 – 2017
Trainee Solicitor, Stone King LLP, 2017 – 2019
Admitted as a Solicitor, 2019