Our commitment to the charity sector

Legal advice for charities and not for profits is at the core of who we are. We help you to do what you do best: working to create a better society for all.

We are the leading charity law team in the UK and advise 25% more charities than any other law firm. We have charity lawyers on your wavelength right across the firm, many of them charity trustees themselves.

Many of our charity clients are NGOs operating across the globe in sectors ranging from international aid and development to human rights, faith, the environment, animal welfare, health and education. Our advisors are immersed in this sector and understand the challenges faced by charities working internationally.

We’re committed to supporting the wider sector. We’ve spearheaded legal reforms, from pioneering cases in the fields of charity investment and human rights, through to registering novel charitable purposes.

We helped rewrite the guidance on political campaigning. We even helped develop the 2016 Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act. All of this means we can offer legal advice for charities that is steeped in experience and insights.

Why choose Bates Wells?

We have lawyers across the firm who understand the charity sector and who are on your wavelength.  Our lawyers sit on the board of over 60 charities, so we also have the experience of seeing legal issues through the eyes of a trustee.

Legal advice for charities is at the core of who we are. Whatever your issue, we can help.

Meet our team
You May Also Be Interested In

Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 6 October

Our weekly roundup of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Charity Commission The Charity Commission has published its 2025-2026 report on whistleblowing disclosures. The Commission has seen an increase in whistleblowing disclosures. It has also found …
Read more

Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 29 September

Our weekly round-up of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Sector general Civil Society has highlighted comments from Jamie Scudamore, Head of Partner Relations at the Prime Minister’s Partnerships Unit, speaking at the recent Association of …
Read more

Waqf: a model for modern Islamic philanthropy and long-term impact

Many Muslim philanthropists, business owners and investors are looking to deploy wealth not only for financial return, but also for lasting social impact and spiritual legacy. That means tackling entrenched problems such as poverty, housing insecurity and unjust debt, while also funding long-term work that is often hard to support, including institution-building and community advocacy. …
Read more

Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 22 September

Our weekly roundup of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Charity Commission The Charity Commission has updated its charity accounts guidance to reflect the introduction of SORP 2026 and changes to accounting thresholds which come into …
Read more

Tax Review for Charities

Get clarity on your tax position – and confidence in your approach. For many charities, management of tax can be a significant area of both risk and opportunity. While the sector benefits from valuable reliefs and exemptions, the rules are complex and constantly evolving. At the same time, new income streams, working practices and fresh …
Read more