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Our Charity Law Solicitors help organisations set up and manage charities in all sectors.
It was spring 2025 that Vicki and I agreed - to take part in a 50-mile ultramarathon run which would take us from M...
Charity & Social Enterprise.
- Charity Law Specialists
- Led by Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer
- Ranked Solicitor in Chambers UK
- Charity Law Specialists
- Led by Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer
- Ranked Solicitor in Chambers UK
Charity Law & Social Enterprise Solicitors
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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.
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.
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 Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, 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.
Knowledge
Charity & Social Enterprise Articles & Podcasts.
Blog
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Accreditations
Our awards and accolades.
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