Charities, not for profit and philanthropy

Charities are besieged by demands: pressures of regulation, fast changing legislation, the day-to-day challenge of providing public services, and the need to act commercially. Spending donations on legal fees can be seen as wasteful and lead to bad publicity.

Why we are different

Our Charities Group understands these pressures and expectations. We use our cross-departmental expertise to advise on all aspects of the law enabling charities and not for profit organisations to operate more effectively and commercially in pursuit of their objectives.

Disputes, meanwhile, can cripple cash-strapped charities. This is where MISHCON PROTECT® comes in. MISHCON PROTECT® is a unique package of funding and insurance products expertly designed to maximise the protection afforded to our clients, whilst minimising the cost involved in bringing or defending a claim. Specifically, it can eliminate the need for a Beddoe Order application, and protect charity and trustee in the event of a loss. It means charities can make decisions about legal action based on the merits of the case and not the finances involved or the risk of bad publicity.

Services

• Beddoes applications authorising trustees to become involved in litigation
• Charity Commission registration
• Charity proceedings and application to be joined as a party to proceedings
• Contentious and non-contentious wills, trusts, probate advice
• Dispute resolution both on behalf of and against charities including Charity Commission inquiries and appeals against their decisions
• Executors’ powers and duties
• Fundraising agreements, sponsorship, events and commercial participator contracts
• Intellectual property matters, including counterfeiting, passing off and trademarks
• Legacy fundraising and contested probate, including rectification proceedings and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, challenges to validity and interpretation of wills and caveats
• Mergers and re-structuring
• Property, employment, defamation and fraud issues
• Philanthropy
• Setting up, regulation and governance
• Tax advice