Charities

Ranked in 'Best of the UK' in this area "Wilsons combination of high-calibre individuals and reasonable rates has proved a massive client draw: 'It can clearly match any one of its counterparts in London, but as it's based in Salisbury, you get the quality of a City firm for provincial prices. You can't hope for better than that.' This 'expert and well oiled machine' is a favourite among charities who value the 'top quality advice' and reasonable prices...'the service matches - if not beats - any City firm we know.' " 

Chambers UK 2009 

There are few firms that can claim true expertise in the Charities sector. We currently act for over 400 charities, of which 152 are listed in the ‘Top 3000 charities 2008/9' directory, where the firm is ranked fourth in the UK.

Wilsons' core charity team includes eleven specialist lawyers working exclusively for charities, advising on a complete range of constitutional and governance issues and the key areas of legacy management and contentious probate. Our specialist legacy team is the largest of its kind outside London.

The core team works with experts across the firm who assist charities with property transactions, probate and trust administration and advice on corporate law, employment law and property litigation. Together our charities team provides a one-stop shop for clients.

Within the charities team we deliver advice on:

Regulatory

• Charity Commission inquiries
• Charity Commission review visits
• Charity disputes

Constitutional

• Establishing/Dissolving charities
• Governance reviews
• Charity mergers
• Schemes and orders

Legacies

• Legacy management – helping to maximise benefit from legacy donations
• Legacy disputes – last minute changes, probate fraud, statutory wills etc.

General

• Property – compliance with legal requirements
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Employment – covering paid and volunteer staff
• Corporate Structuring – including incorporation
• Fundraising, trading and investments.

Schools

• Compliance – meeting the “public benefit” test
• Managing/rationalising prize funds
• Fundraising options
• Employment disputes
• Debt management

Top of Page