Charity & Social Enterprise.

Our Charity Law Solicitors help organisations set up and manage charities in all sectors.

  • Charity Law Specialists
  • Recommended by The Legal 500
  • Top Ranked in Chambers UK
Man hugging dog
  • Charity Law Specialists
  • Recommended by The Legal 500
  • Top Ranked in Chambers UK

Charity Law & Social Enterprise Solicitors.

Lanyon Bowdler provides advice and support to a number of organisations in the charitable sector.

As a firm, we have also formed long lasting ties with charities in North Wales, Shropshire and Herefordshire as a result of our involvement in a variety of community projects.

The laws applicable to charities, charitable companies and social enterprise are constantly changing. Organisations, volunteers, employees and trustees face a number of challenges in seeking to comply with regulatory and legal requirements, including new legislation introduced by the Charities Act 2006.

At Lanyon Bowdler we understand that at the same time as trying to keep up with changes in the law, charitable organisations are keen to compete for resources, obtain funding and develop their activities by structuring themselves as effectively as possible.

Key Contacts

Gráinne Walters is a specialist Charity Law Solicitor. She is a partner and the Head of our Charity Solicitors department, bringing a breadth of experience to the Lanyon Bowdler team.

She has decades of experience helping charitable organisations in the initial incorporation, as well as providing legal support through the management of charities.

Gráinne is a Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 directory, as well as being a ranked solicitors in the 2025 edition of Chambers & Partners UK.

Gráinne Walters
Gráinne Walters
Partner
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases

Edward Burrell is an expert Charity Law Solicitor. As a partner in our Charity Solicitors team, he has helped organisations in the initial set up, management, and dissolution of charities.

He provides a dedicated and tailored approach to the most complex legal challenges faced by charities, striving to achieve the most positive outcomes.

Edward is recognised as a Next Generation Partner in the 2025 edition of The Legal 500, and is a member of the Law Society.

Edward Burrell
Edward Burrell
Partner
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Leisure & Tourism | Education

Our Charity & Social Enterprise Expertise

Our expert solicitors have years of experience in dealing with charity & social enterprise matters. Get in touch today and we will be more than happy to help.

How can we help charitable organisations?

Our team of corporate and commercial solicitors provide practical advice and assistance to unincorporated and incorporated organisations as well as to the people that run them.

We can assist with:

Setting up Charitable Organisations

For example, applying for the registration of new charities, incorporating organisations and creating group structures with charitable status, to include

  • incorporation of companies limited by guarantee;
  • incorporating community interest companies (a form of social enterprise often set up as a trading subsidiary of a company limited by guarantee, in order to allow a charity to engage in commercial and profit generating activities);
  • incorporating charitable incorporated organisations (a charitable company offering the benefits of incorporation, without the burden of complying with company law), and converting existing charitable organisations to charitable incorporated organisations;
  • transferring assets from unincorporated organisations and trusts to incorporated organisations.
  • Constitution and Governance
  • Trustee Duties and Powers
  • Commercial Activities

For example, engaging trading subsidiaries, commercial agreements, funding and grant arrangements.

  • Dealing with Regulators
  • Charity Mergers and Joint Ventures
  • Dissolution of Charities
  • A Multi Disciplinary Approach

At Lanyon Bowdler we work closely with the firm’s property, employment and litigation departments to support the charitable aims and activities of our clients.

In addition, our team has contacts with trusted tax, charity law and accountancy specialists whom we are able to recommend in order to ensure that a holistic approach is taken.

Testimonials

What our clients say.

From the first contact, the team at Lanyon Bowdler gave a fast & efficient service. They were very friendly & gave me the confidence that I had found the right solicitors. The advice given & the fast responses were beyond my expectations. The matter was resolved in no time at all.

Martyn
via ReviewSolicitors

Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

Michael
via ReviewSolicitors

I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston
Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones
via ReviewSolicitors

An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric
via ReviewSolicitors

From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins
via ReviewSolicitors

Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson
Telford

Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather
via ReviewSolicitors

Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker
Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer
UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett
via ReviewSolicitors

Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim
via ReviewSolicitors

We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd
Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown
via ReviewSolicitors

Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe
via ReviewSolicitors

Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne
Llanfyllin

Contact our Charity Law Solicitors

If you are involved in the charitable sector and would like more information about the services that we offer, call our Charity Law Solicitors or complete our online enquiry form to see how we can help.

Our charity law specialists have years of experience providing legal support to charitable organisations across the country, from incorporation, to trustee services, to fund management.

We have offices in ShrewsburyBromyardConwyHerefordLudlowOswestry, and Telford, however we are able to act for clients wherever they may live in England or Wales.

Lanyon Bowdler is one of the leading firms on Charity Law Solicitors in Birmingham, Worcester and Wolverhampton, as well as across the North of England and North Wales.

Contact us today. We listen and we care.

Our people

Meet the team.

Edward Burrell
Edward Burrell
Partner
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Leisure & Tourism | Education
Gráinne Walters
Gráinne Walters
Partner
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
David Ashcroft
David Ashcroft
Consultant
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Leisure & Tourism
Harvey Wright
Harvey Wright
Legal Support Assistant
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
Cecilia Wong
Cecilia Wong
Solicitor
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
Abi Croft
Abi Croft
Solicitor
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
Jennifer Edwards
Jennifer Edwards
Associate Solicitor
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
Jemma Groves
Jemma Groves
Solicitor
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Education
Zoe Roberts
Zoe Roberts
Associate Solicitor
Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Corporate Law
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