Charity law and non profit

Charity employment law, safeguarding and personal data

The charity and social business team's employment specialists provide solutions to help you manage your workforce, from advice on contracts and handbooks or on best practice and process to defending claims.

Charity employment law

An introduction and overview

Our specialist employment lawyers in the charity and social business team work exclusively with not-for-profit organisations. We provide support with employee, volunteer and people issues ranging from contracts, policies and compliance, to dealing with tricky grievances and defending claims in the employment tribunal so can help you with whatever challenge you are facing.

How our charity law solicitors can help you

Key services offered

We understand the priorities and needs of charities and not-for-profit organisations. Our charity employment experts give clear, practical HR advice that takes into consideration the legal, regulatory and cultural context in which charities operate. 

We can help you with:

  • contracts, agreements and policies for employees, consultants and volunteers
  • performance, capability, disciplinary and grievance procedures
  • complex workplace investigations
  • safeguarding, data protection and health and safety in the workplace
  • restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements
  • restructures, redundancy and TUPE
  • employment disputes and claims including discrimination, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal
  • settlement agreements 

Why choose Russell-Cooke for charity employment, safeguarding, and personal data ?

About our charity law and not for profit law team

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 publications including Civil Society and Charity Finance magazine. Several of our employment lawyers are themselves charity trustees so we know the value of excellent advice that is clear, tailored to your charity, and allows you to make decisions with confidence.

Testimonials and legal directory quotes

Here are some comments made about us.

Carla Whalen's client service and general level of service, level of sophistication and commercial vision are very strong. Carla is my organisation's go-to.
Chambers' client (2024)

Carla has been an amazing support with wise advice, quick response, careful follow up and a good sense of perspective and humour! I would thoroughly recommend her ability to get a difficult job done.
Chambers' client (2024)

Carla has always been incredibly helpful and swift to reply, and provides really useful explanations in layman's terms.
Pause Creating Space for Change, Client

Carla guided us through a complex and delicate legal situation by drawing on her wealth of experience. Her upbeat disposition was a huge asset that helped us keep perspective through some pretty grim situations.
Thames Explorer Trust, Client

I'm always impressed by the responsiveness of the team and the excellent guidance and support we receive.
Chambers UK (2024)

Charging information

Charges are usually based on our hourly rates plus disbursements. We’ll provide an initial estimate of your likely legal costs and will update this if your requirements or the circumstances of the work change.

We’re happy to discuss requirements and provide proposed costs free of charge. Get in touch to find out more about our pricing, including our range of hourly rates and an example fee estimate.

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Wrongful and unfair dismissal charging information for charities

We provide advice and representation to employers who are defending claims brought by employees...

Get in touch

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

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