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Charities

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The Charity Team operates as a dedicated specialist unit within Russell-Cooke and our charity solicitors are led by James Sinclair Taylor.

Acting for over 600 voluntary sector organisations across the UK, we advise over the whole field of charity law. Our work touches on most aspects of life in the voluntary sector, from day-to-day problems to strategic and constitutional issues, including

::  registration, constitutions and governance

::  property acquisition, sale and management

::  employment

::  fundraising and trading, including commercial ventures

::  contract negotiation

::  litigation

::  copyright, trade mark registration and the use of the Internet

::  tax including VAT

Although we act for many large national organisations - including Barnardo's and Unicef - we also act for many small and newly formed charities, offering practical and cost-effective solutions to everyday problems.

 
We like to work proactively, trying to spot problems before they occur
Background

Before joining forces with Russell-Cooke in June 2003 we operated as Sinclair Taylor & Martin, a specialist charity law firm with a strong reputation in its field. We rank:

::  equal third among London firms with charity clients by Chambers' Guide to the Legal Profession (2006)

::  third in the Dresdner RCM list of Top Charity Law Firms 2006

Within Russell-Cooke our charity solicitors work as a team, drawing on the resources and skills of the wider firm when necessary. We are personally as well as professionally committed to the voluntary sector, running regular seminars and conferences and acting as volunteers and trustees.


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Mary Cheves Mary Cheves
Jane Klauber Jane Klauber
James McCallum James McCallum
David Mears David Mears
Deborah Nathan Deborah Nathan
Stephen O'Reilly Stephen O'Reilly
Samantha Palmer Samantha Palmer
Tamsin Priddle Tamsin Priddle
Sukanya Ransford Sukanya Ransford
Penelope Slatter Penelope Slatter
Kate Slattery Kate Slattery
Andrew Studd Ansrew Studd
James Sinclair Taylor James Sinclair Taylor
People
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We are based in the firm's Putney offices, a short journey from Central London, but are happy to see clients at the firm's Central London office at 8 Bedford Row.

Although individually we specialise in different aspects of charity law we each have a broad overview of the voluntary sector, drawing on our shared knowledge and experience.

Click on name on the left to bring up biography.


telephone  020 8394 6480

email  E-mail our helpdesk
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Updates

Charities Legal update

Each month our Charities Team publishes a free legal update containing the latest news and information.

Latest Update

Special Update:Charities and the Credit Crunch

To receive future copies please complete the form below or to access past editions of the update click on the following link.

Charity Team legal update archives




  Free monthly charity legal update  
  Fields marked with * are required.  
  Forename(s):*
  Surname:*
  Organisation:
  E-Mail Address:*
 
 
 
     


Employment Law update

Each quarter our Employment Department publishes a free legal update containing the latest news and information.

Latest Update

To receive future copies please complete the form below.

Employment Law Update - August 2009
Employment Law Update - June 2009
Employment Law Update - March 2009
Employment Law Update - December 2008
Employment Law Update - May 2008
Employment Law Update - Oct 2007
Employment Law Update - June 2007
Employment Law Update - March 2007




  Free employment law update  
  Fields marked with * are required.  
  Forename(s):*
  Surname:*
  Organisation:
  E-Mail Address:*
 
 
 
     

We have for some years run a register where clients seeking merger, or collaborative working partners, express their interest on an open or confidential basis.  We can then "match" interested parties.  We have also worked with particular clients to find them appropriate partners when they have decided that their strategy requires it.

The Charity Team has acknowledged expertise in assisting with mergers and collaborative working. 

Mergers
We have worked with a wide range of organisations to assist them to grow and develop through mergers.  Examples include Volunteering England which was the result of three initial and two subsequent mergers, Groundwork London, Choice Support and a range of other social care organisations, as well as specialist bodies of all sorts. 

Collaborative Working
We have assisted a number of our clients in setting up a range of collaborative working strategies to take forward their work.  These have included:

  • Franchise arrangements to roll out a new concept in different geographical locations
  • Sharing back office functions
  • Providing specialist services to similar charities
  • Joint bids for larger funding contracts
  • Lead funding body and sub-contracting arrangements

We have also created and advised a number of joint ventures where charities have set up corporate vehicles to tackle major projects or undertake joint fundraising.

g320
As a result of our work for a range of organisations on mergers and collaborative working, the g320 group of smaller housing associations asked us to run a register for its members so that they may find partners for collaborative ventures.

g320 represents small housing associations in London, with fewer than 1000 homes, as part of the London Housing Federation. Of the 320 smaller members of the London Housing Federation there is a diverse and successful mix of housing associations, many locally focused, many delivering specialist services.  The aim is to promote and share good practice amongst those small but beautiful associations providing a range of housing and care services in the capital, and indeed across the country.

To view a press release outlining how the register will work please click here.
  
Collaborative working and merger often raises complex issues relating to employment law, VAT, property transfers and intellectual property protection.

Finding new trustees
We have collected here details of a number of organisations which may be able to help with the process of recruiting new trustees. We will be updating this material occasionally and would welcome details of organisations we have omited.

Please email details to David Mears.

email  david.mears@russell-cooke.co.uk

 

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Useful links

General Interest

Sandy Adirondack
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries
Howard Lake's UK Fundraising Site
NCVO
Charitynet and CAF
OneWorld
Charity Trustee Networks


For Reference

The Open Government Web Site
The Charity Commission
The Department of Trade and Industry
The Health and Safety Executive
HMSO  Her Majesty's Stationery Office

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