Legal Services for Charities & Not-for-Profit Organisations

Establishing the right structure is critical not only for compliance, but for long-term sustainability, funding flexibility and effective governance.

We advise on:

• Charity formation and registration
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Sports clubs and amateur associations
• Faith-based organisations
• Co-operatives and trade associations
• Governance frameworks and constitutional documents

We help organisations choose and implement structures that support both their charitable objectives and operational needs.

Speak to Our Charity Structuring Solicitors

Charities operate in a complex and highly scrutinised regulatory environment, where governance failures can carry significant legal, financial and reputational risk.

We support trustees and management teams with:

• Trustee duties and governance best practice
• Charity Commission compliance and reporting
• Avoiding conflicts of interest, including compliance with strict rules on trustee remuneration, private benefit and connected party transactions
• Guidance on the Charity Investment Governance Principles to support effective oversight of charitable assets
• Internal governance reviews and restructuring
• Risk management and decision-making frameworks

Our advice is practical, proportionate and aligned with the responsibilities placed on trustees and senior leadership.

Get Governance & Regulatory Advice

Charities and not-for-profits are increasingly required to operate in a commercial and competitive environment.

We provide practical legal support to help organisations generate income, enter partnerships and structure activities appropriately, including:

• Commercial contracts and partnerships
• Trading subsidiaries and group structures
• Charity mergers, acquisitions and strategic restructuring
• Funding arrangements and collaborations
• Strategic growth and organisational change
• Intellectual property protection and strategy

Talk to Our Charity Corporate Lawyers

We understand the historic and often complex nature of property ownership in the charity sector, particularly where assets have been held for many years or lack formal registration.

We advise on:

• Acquisition, disposal and management of property
• Unregistered land issues (common in legacy charity assets such as sports clubs)
• Landlord and tenant matters
• Property disputes and litigation

Contact Our Charity Property Solicitors

Managing a workforce within a charity presents unique challenges, particularly where organisations rely on a mix of employees, volunteers and trustees.

We also offer ongoing HR and governance support packages tailored specifically for charities and not-for-profit organisations, helping trustees and leadership teams manage workforce, compliance and governance issues proactively.

We provide clear, pragmatic employment law advice that balances legal compliance with operational realities and reputational considerations, including:

• Employment contracts, policies and procedures
• HR advisory and ongoing support
• Trustee and employee regulatory considerations
• Restructuring and organisational change
• Managing sensitive workplace issues, including protected beliefs and competing rights in the workplace
• Developing and implementing robust staff policies to reduce legal and reputational risk
• Advising on high-risk employment matters where reputational considerations are critical
• Specialist HR and governance retainer support for charities and not-for-profits

Ask About Our Charity HR Support Packages

Disputes within charities can be complex, sensitive and highly reputational.

Our team provides strategic, commercially focused advice to resolve issues efficiently while protecting the organisation’s integrity and public trust, including:

• Commercial disputes
• Governance and trustee disputes
• Board disagreements
• Regulatory investigations (including Charity Commission matters, where applicable)
• Intellectual property disputes, including brand misuse and ownership issues
• Fundraising-related complaints and regulatory issues, including compliance with the Code of Fundraising Practice

Discuss a Charity Dispute

Legacy income is a vital funding stream for many charities, and disputes in this area can have significant financial implications.

We have strong experience advising charities on legacy-related matters, including:

• Defending charitable gifts
• Will disputes involving charities
• Protecting and recovering legacy income

We also work closely with organisations connected to the bereavement sector, combining legal expertise with a sensitive and pragmatic approach to emotionally complex situations.

Protect Your Charity Legacy Income

Where charities or not-for-profits face financial difficulty, trustees must act carefully to comply with their legal duties and minimise risk.

We provide clear, strategic advice on available options, helping organisations stabilise, restructure or wind down in an orderly and compliant manner, including:

• Restructuring options
• Insolvency processes
• Trustee duties during financial distress

Get Advice on Charity Financial Difficulties

Client Intro

Case Overview

“This project was about creating a licensing framework that is both efficient and easy to operate, while still giving the charity the control it needs over its trade marks.” – Richard Meehan, Partner

Client Intro

AQA is a UK-based education charity that designs, delivers and assesses academic qualifications, including GCSEs and A-levels. As the largest provider of these qualifications in England, AQA sets and marks over half of all GCSE and A-level exams.

Case Overview

AQA’s Group General Counsel, Clare Kay, is responsible for managing a wide range of legal matters across the organisation, including commercial contracts, regulatory compliance and strategic legal projects. One of her key challenges is responding to the high volume and technical complexity of legal queries that arise across the business.

Myerson supports AQA by providing corporate, employment and real estate legal advice tailored to these issues. In addition, Myerson supports AQA in managing its real estate portfolio.

Myerson’s ongoing support helps AQA’s legal and HR teams manage matters efficiently and with confidence. Our advice is aligned with the organisation’s commercial priorities and complements the in-house legal function where needed.

Case Overview:

Our lawyers have provided employment support to the Royal Exchange for many years.  This includes back in 1996, when the centre of Manchester was bombed, leaving the theatre seriously damaged and unable to open for many months and, recently, when the theatre again had to close because of the Covid pandemic.

Joanne Evans, an employment law expert at Myerson Solicitors, said:

"We have enjoyed working closely with the Royal Exchange Theatre for over 25 years.  We are particularly proud of the support we have given this iconic organisation when they have had to deal with the most challenging of employment issues arising from the unexpected closure of the theatre because of, first, the terrorist bombing of Manchester in 1996 and, second, the global pandemic in 2020."

Client Testimonial

Steve Freeman, the Executive Director at The Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, said: 

“Our long relationship with Myerson is testament to the quality of the service provided. Employment matters are often complex and urgent, knowing that we can access advice and expertise at short notice is incredibly reassuring. The clarity and straightforward nature of Myerson’s approach gives us great confidence and that is why we have remained with them for so long.”

The most appropriate structure depends on your organisation’s size, objectives and how it intends to operate. Options include CIOs, charitable companies, CICs and unincorporated associations. Each has different governance, reporting and liability implications. We help you assess the options and implement the most suitable structure for your organisation.

Trustees must act in the charity’s best interests, ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements and manage the organisation responsibly.

This includes overseeing finances, avoiding conflicts of interest and making informed, reasonable decisions.

This includes strict rules around trustee remuneration, private benefit and transactions involving connected parties.

Yes. Many charities enter into commercial arrangements to support their activities. Trustees must ensure that these arrangements align with the charity’s objectives and comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

Disputes may involve governance issues, commercial disagreements or regulatory matters, and in some cases may involve the Charity Commission. We provide strategic advice to resolve disputes efficiently while protecting the organisation’s reputation.

Yes, charities can own and manage property. However, there are specific legal requirements, particularly around disposal and trustee responsibilities. Issues can be more complex where land is unregistered or has been historically held.

Charities are often beneficiaries of wills, but these gifts can sometimes be challenged. We assist charities in defending and securing legacy income, which is often a vital source of funding.

Trustees must act carefully to comply with their duties. We provide advice on restructuring, governance and insolvency options to protect the organisation and its stakeholders.

Yes. Many charities employ staff alongside volunteers. Employment law obligations apply, and trustees must ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.