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 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.

How we can 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.

Contact Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors

If you are involved in the charitable sector and would like more information about the services that we offer, give us a call or complete our online enquiry form, to see how we can help. We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry and Telford so are able to act for clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and across the Midlands.