Charities and Not-for-Profit

Our specialist charities team works with over 400 charities and not-for-profit organisations. Our clear, detailed advice and solutions reflect the bigger picture, while our insights and expertise help you promote good governance and manage risk.

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Meet the team

Complete advice for all charities

Charities and not-for profit businesses are as diverse as the needs they seek to address, which is why our service is equally broad and flexible. We can help with any legal need for any charity, from simple day-to-day enquiries to bigger projects with international elements.

We’re here when you want to:

  • Set up a charity from scratch
  • Merge charities
  • Collaborate with other organisations
  • Dissolve charities.

Our team can help you with the full spectrum of charity law including submitting applications to the Charity Commission, safeguarding commitments, operational issues, serious incident reporting, trustees’ duties and training, risk management, conflicts of interest and fundraising.

We can also help you draft your governance documentation, policies and grant agreements, constitutional matters and advise on the Cy-près scheme and section 105 orders.

Collaborative, constructive and nuanced

Our experience in the charitable sector means we understand the importance of getting to know you and your aims and motivating factors. It ensures our advice is relevant and focused, and considers any charity law nuance relevant to your particular situation.

We were ranked in the ‘Top Tier’ of the 2024 edition of Legal 500 – a reflection of our excellent reputation in the sector. As well as the expertise of our charities team, we can also draw on the knowledge of our Commercial, Real Estate, Employment and Immigration, and other teams if and when you need it.

Throughout all our work with you, we are extremely careful with our costs because we know that your charitable aims and public benefit are always paramount.

Recognition of our work

Legal updates and thought leadership

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Hear what our clients say about us

The Legal 500 2025 said that Rosie Phillips is “a key port of call for CICs, not-for-profit organizations, and registered societies, (and) is geared to handle charity conflicts of interest, initial registration, and mergers.” and that she “is often engaged in policy reviews and the releasing of restricted funds”.

The Legal 500 2025 Charities

We have had a long association with HCR Hewitsons. They understand the organisation, and have been involved in its development over the years. While the main relationship is for advice on corporate governance issues, we always know that we can seek wider expertise across the firm. My experience when I have done so is that the quality of advice and support is always good.

 

Legal 500 2024 – Charities

HCR Hewitsons are very good at applying the charity regulations to our specific organisation and understanding the aims and aspirations that we hold.

 

Legal 500 2024 – Charities

Large enough to ensure a wide range of relevant expertise. Their commitment is second to none.

Legal 500 2024 – Charities

Prompt service with no judgement or professional language that is always easy to understand. Broad range of knowledge, from financial settlement to trustee advice and employment issues.

Legal 500 2024 – Charities

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