Charity law and not for profit law

We know that no two charities are the same. That’s why we tailor our legal advice to your specific needs.

Understanding charity law

We know that no two charities are the same. That’s why we tailor our legal advice to your specific needs.

Recognised as one of the leading law firms advising charities in the UK, our specialist team works with hundreds of charities, ranging from household names such as the British Heart Foundation and UNICEF UK through to startups and local voluntary organisations. 

How our charity law and not for profit law solicitors can help you

Our charity law team advises across the full spectrum of governance issues, mergers and restructurings, HR and employment, fundraising, data protection, charity property disputes and transactions, international charity structures and charity regulation, including Charity Commission investigations.

We can help you with:

Charitable giving and foundations

Charitable giving and foundations

If you would like to establish a family foundation or other philanthropic structure, we can guide you through the process of setting up and running a charity...

Charity employment law

Charity employment law, safeguarding and personal data

Our charity employment lawyers are experts in their field. We’re regularly asked to speak on HR topics at third sector conferences and contribute to charity...

Charity litigation

Charity litigation

Our charity solicitors work in collaboration with teams across the firm to resolve any difficulties arising throughout or at the end of a charity's life...

Setting up a charity and registration

Setting up a charity and registration

Our charity solicitors are proud to help people create change in the world. There can be a lot to consider when setting up a new charity and...

Strong specialist knowledge conveyed in ways that make sense, with a very can-do approach; looking at how to make something happen, rather than presenting the barriers that need to be overcome.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Our approach

A more thoughtful and holistic approach to charity law

Our technical expertise is widely recognised. We advise charities with unusual governance structures, including charities governed by Acts of Parliament, and charities with complicated group structures.

We believe in a more thoughtful and holistic approach to law, with our team of governance, commercial, property and charity employment lawyers working together to provide a comprehensive service to our clients.

Governance and commercial

Charity governance and commercial

All charities need an up-to-date constitution and governance policies to enable trustees to manage their charity effectively and stay...

International charities and not for profit

International charities and not for profit

Our charity law and not for profit team specialises in advising...

Schools and educational charities

Schools and educational charities

Our charity law and non profit team increasingly advises both stated funded schools and independent...

Navigating equality law after the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers

About our gender equality law services

Russell-Cooke’s gender equality law team provides expert guidance to clients navigating gender equality law following the For Woman Scotland judgment, which redefined how “sex” is interpreted under the Equality Act 2010.

We can advise you on your legal rights and obligations and on your organisation's existing policies, as well as managing risk and navigating challenging decisions around single-sex spaces and trans inclusion. 

Image of UK supreme court with green overlay. Navigating equality law after the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers

Gender equality law

Our gender equality law experts support individuals and organisations on issues including policy compliance, single-sex spaces, workplace disputes, and the impact of recent legislative developments...

Get in touch

If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our charity law solicitors by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7510 or complete our enquiry form.

Get to know our charity law and not for profit law team


Russell-Cooke has handled all of our issues professionally and flawlessly.
Chambers UK (2025)
Charity law is a complex and specialist area of law and we always felt we were in safe hands.
Charity law client

Related insights

The latest news and insights from our charity law non profit team

News

23.07.2024

Navigating regulatory engagement with the Charity Commission

Interim Managers can be appointed by the Charity Commission alongside, or in replacement of, trustees, and will work with the trustees and the Charity Commi...
Pippa Garland (1) Jess Chan, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law team.
Multiple Authors
5 min Read
Pippa Garland, Jess Chan
News

22.07.2024

Financially distressed charities—issues to be aware of

Charities, like businesses and individuals, can encounter financial difficulty.  This may be for a number of different reasons.  In some instances, charities may...
Simon Jerrum, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, restructuring and insolvency team.
Simon Jerrum
4 min Read
News

19.07.2024

Employment law changes

April 2024 saw a number of changes to employee-friendly and family-friendly employment laws. This update provides an overview of the changes and how they may...
Carla Whalen, partner in the Russell-Cooke charity and not-for-profit law team. Julia Chabasiewicz, Associate, Russell-Cooke Solicitors, Charity team
Multiple Authors
4 min Read
Carla Whalen, Julia Nwaneke
View all News & Insights