Charity governance and compliance
Trustees have a vital role to play in serving our communities. The charity law team at Penningtons Manches Cooper offers support and advice in an accessible framework, helping trustees to understand and comply with their legal responsibilities and to perform their duties as effectively as possible while they work together with all the stakeholders of their charity.
Guidance for trustees from charity sector experts
Our solicitors offer assistance to charity trustees of all types, whether they are already serving, newly recruited, or yet to start, and regardless of their level of experience. We encourage them to see their contribution to the charity as a journey during which they can continue to learn and improve at what they do. Our aim is to enable their charity to provide a comprehensive service to its beneficiaries as we guide them to avoid common pitfalls and act with a sound knowledge of their obligations.
We regularly carry out full governance reviews, advising on changes to governing documents, amending policies and procedures, and implementing new committee or membership structures. We also work with boards of trustees to provide regular legal updates and refresher trustee training, as well as offering more bespoke training and supporting major projects.
The team are expert in their field and provide sound advice and guidance in a timely manner.
Alongside day-to-day advice, our team provides guidance to trustees on strategic planning, complex initiatives and difficult decisions relating to serious incidents or safeguarding issues. We can offer this support on a consultancy/project management basis when required.
Many of our lawyers are charity trustees themselves, either in a personal capacity or through professional contacts. We are immersed in the charity sector and have been actively involved with influencing the development of charity law by liaising directly with the Law Commission, and taking a leading role in working parties of the Charity Law Association.
We have also been appointed to the Charity Commission’s interim manager panel, where our panel team members take on appointments to help resolve regulatory issues affecting charities.
How we help our clients
Understanding charity trustee duties and trustee training
Trustee support, including legal consultancy on project work and strategic decision-making
Reviewing and drafting policies and procedures
Reviewing governance arrangements for charities and advising on structural change
Reputation management and working with external regulators
Identifying risks, risk management and risk registers
Issues faced by international charities, including working in dangerous areas
Investment policies
Conflicts of interest
Serious incidents, charities in distress, and Charity Commission investigations
Useful resources
Recent work highlights
Charity Commission statutory inquiry
Tailored training for trustees
Comprehensive charity governance review
Compliance check for international charity
Board of trustees safeguarding decision
Complex international not-for-profit project
What our clients are saying
They advise on and fight complex and cutting-edge cases and have unparalleled experience in this field. There is quality in their most junior associates right up to their leading partners.
The team understands the uniqueness of our business and tailors the advice to us, very collaborative and answers all questions.
They know and understand our organisation and how we approach risk. They give the options and then their guidance if asked.
The full team are always very accessible, knowledgeable and helpful with any enquiry.
Contact us
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