Charity regulation

Our company and charity secretarial service can also help your organisation meet its legal administration and public registration obligations.

Occasionally, our clients find themselves dealing with a difficult situation that has regulatory implications. Perhaps a complaint has been made, or you think you may need to proactively make a disclosure to one or more regulators (such as a Charity Commission serious incident report). We can help with the decision making and guide you through the necessary steps.

If the situation escalates to a regulatory investigation or inquiry, our wide-ranging expertise can help in managing such matters. We’ve led on some of the most extensive and high-profile charity investigations in recent years. However complex your situation, we have the knowledge and experience to help. For more information on charity investigations, click here.

From helping draft investigation terms of reference, to managing your engagement with the regulator and implementing strategies to deal with the follow-up, we can provide end-to-end support and robust advice. Our multidisciplinary team draws on the expertise of our employment, public & regulatory, dispute resolution and reputation management lawyers to provide you with a fully rounded service.

We can advise you on engaging with:

• The Charity Commission: whether you need advice on completing your annual review, making a serious incident report, or dealing with an inquiry or investigation, you can be assured we’ve helped countless other charities with the same issues.

• Companies House: we can assist with filing event related data or annual reporting obligations. We’ll keep your company records up to date, such as the register of members. We’ll handle company information disclosure requirements. And we’ll identify and record people with significant control.
• Fundraising Regulator: we’re expert in advising on the Fundraising Regulator’s code of practice, and on Fundraising Regulator investigations. We can also ensure you stay compliant with fundraising policies, including a complaints policy, a vulnerable donor policy and an acceptance and refusal of donations policy.
• Gambling Commission: if you use lotteries to fundraise, we can assist with applying for a society lottery operating licence. We also advise regularly on obligations under the Gambling Act, including a gambling policy.
• HMRC: we can assist with registration and advise on how to meet the fit and proper person test for trustees.
  Information Commissioner: we can advise on whether registration with the ICO is required and assist with annual renewal.
• Financial Conduct Authority: if you’re a community benefit or cooperative society, you’ll need to register with FCA. We can help with filing event-related data or annual reporting obligations.
• We’re also experienced in helping charities to meet their regulatory obligations towards:
  Regulator of Social Housing
  Care Quality Commission
  Disclosure and Barring Service
  Ofsted
  Electoral Commission