We advise our clients on all aspects of property law, helping charities exploit their property assets effectively. Our specialist property lawyers regularly advise on significant property transactions ranging from the relocation of head office premises, community and advice centres and the sale of investment assets. We can assist you work through transactions involving complex charitable trusts and covenants, finance and negotiations.
We combine a clear and up to date understanding of all aspects of property law with charity law expertise and familiarity with the way the voluntary sector works. The solicitor acting in a property transaction for you can also advise on sector-specific issues such as those arising under the Charities Act 1993, including Charity Commission consents, and governance issues relating to the holding of property connected with holding trustees, special trusts and incorporated trustees.
We deal with a wide range of property transactions including:
- The grant of leases to and by charity clients
- Sales and developments of property
- Service level agreements
- Clawback agreements
- Licences for occupation
- Grants of rights of way, rights of light and other easements
- Planning gain agreements
- Property management agreements.
We can give specialist advice on those procedures peculiar to charities such as the need for valuation in connection with sales and other land disposals under section 36 of the Charities Act 1993 and the requirement for financial advice under section 38 of the 1993 Act. We are also familiar with the requirements of section 9 of the Housing Act 1996 that regulates disposals for charities that are registered social landlords.
Our team and approach
We are a specialist charity property team led by two partners, James McCallum and Mary Cheves, who have more than 20 years experience of property work for charities. The team, which advises only charities and not for profit organisations, can help you through the complexities of charity and property law issues.
We can work with you in a way that suits you best. We advise on the appropriate legal strategy for protecting lending or grant funding. We prepare clear, plain English documents tailored to the needs of our clients. We are cost sensitive and will consider capped fees for defined areas of work where required.