Charity & Social Enterprise.

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

  • Charity Law Specialists
  • Legal 500 Recommended
  • Ranked Solicitor in Chambers UK

Charity Law & Social Enterprise Solicitors.

Running a charity or social enterprise can be deeply rewarding, but it also brings legal responsibilities are difficult to manage alongside the day-to-day work.

Trustees, employees and volunteers are often focused on delivering services, securing funding and making a positive difference, while also needing to comply with governance duties, Charity Commission requirements, reporting obligations and changing legislation. Clear legal advice can help your organisation stay compliant, reduce risk and make confident decisions about its future.

At Lanyon Bowdler, our Charity Law Solicitors provide practical, supportive advice to charitable organisations, social enterprises and the people who run them. We can help with setting up and registering charities, choosing the right structure, trustee duties, governance, commercial activities, funding arrangements, dealings with regulators, mergers, joint ventures and dissolution.

As a full-service law firm with long-standing ties to charities and community projects across Shropshire, Herefordshire, North Wales and beyond, we understand the pressures faced by organisations working for public benefit. We are also accredited with Lexcel, the Law Society’s quality mark for excellence in client care and practice management across England and Wales.

Speak to our solicitors about how we can support your charitable organisation.

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 considerable 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 Legal 500 directory, as well as being a ranked solicitors in the 2025 edition of Chambers UK.

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

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 Legal 500, and is a member of the Law Society.

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

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
Partner
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Leisure & Tourism | Education
View profile
Gráinne Walters
Partner
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
View profile
Harvey Wright
Legal Support Assistant
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
View profile
Abi Croft
Associate Solicitor
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
View profile
Jennifer Edwards
Associate Solicitor
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases
View profile
Jemma Groves
Solicitor
Corporate Law | Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Education
View profile
Zoe Roberts
Associate Solicitor
Business Contracts | Business Sales & Purchases | Corporate Law
View profile
Knowledge

Charity & Social Enterprise Articles & Podcasts.

Blog
Testicular torsion is a time-critical surgical emergency. If blood flow is not restored within four to six hours, t...
Claudia Booth • 02 Jul 2026
Blog
The publication of the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation's Final Report should serve as a s...
Beth Heath • 30 Jun 2026
Podcast icon Podcast

The Lexus Wrexham Open, ITF World Tennis Tour – What You Can Expect This Year: Dave Courteen and Jemma Groves

We talk about the Lexus Wrexham Open, which takes place in October as part of the ITF World Tennis Tour, the history of ...
Published • 29 Jun 2026
Blog
We’re introducing Nicole Smith and her guide dog, Shai. Nicole joined Lanyon Bowdler in April 2023 as a legal suppo...
Nicole Smith • 26 Jun 2026
Blog
On 24 June 2026 the finalised report by Donna Ockenden was published. This report followed an independent review in...
Alicia Johns • 25 Jun 2026
Podcast icon Podcast

Armed Forces Week : Alexander Spanner and Sean McCarthy

In this episode, Solicitor Alexander Spanner talks to Sean McCarthy, who is the Shropshire Council Armed Forces Lead. Se...
Published • 22 Jun 2026
Blog
The excitement of a day out, travelling, crowds and a change in routine can be very challenging for a person with a...
Amanda Clarke • 19 Jun 2026
Blog
The Welsh Government has recently announced its commitment to reduce NHS waiting times, with a national delivery pl...
Rebecca Wright • 15 Jun 2026
Podcast icon Podcast

Grounded in Agriculture with Guest Rhys Jones from Cattle Strength

Today Katie Baker is joined by Rhys Jones from Cattle Strength, a thriving farm-based fitness business that's become a s...
Published • 15 Jun 2026
Blog
In England and Wales, any person preparing a will (‘the testator’) has testamentary freedom or, in simple language,...
Nyrée Grevett • 11 Jun 2026
Podcast icon Podcast

Inheritance Tax Update for Agricultural Business Property Relief Post 6th April 2026: David Pugh and Edward Rees

In this episode, Edward Rees and David Pugh review the developments since the landmark 2024 budget regarding inheritance...
Published • 10 Jun 2026
Podcast icon Podcast

Oswestry Women & Girls Softball Festival – Cricket Culture Community: Jools Payne and Kate Lawson

We welcome special guest Jools Payne who chats with solicitor Kate Lawson about an exciting sporting event coming to Osw...
Published • 01 Jun 2026
Accreditations

Our awards and accolades.

Contact us

Get in touch.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
TOS*
This field is hidden when viewing the form