Bates Wells

At Bates Wells, charity law is at the heart of our firm. For decades we have advised charities of every size and stage, from newly established organisations and grant-makers to some of the UK’s largest and most complex charities. Our lawyers understand the governance, regulatory, operational and reputational challenges that charity leaders face. 

We have one of the largest dedicated charity and social enterprise legal teams in the UK, comprising more than 50 lawyers, in addition to sector-specialised experts across the firm’s full spectrum of services. We are consistently ranked in the top tier for charity law by Chambers UK and Legal 500, and act for more of the UK’s largest charities than any other law firm.

How we help charity leaders

Chief executives need legal advisers who understand the realities of running a charity, not just the law. We provide practical, strategic advice across the full range of issues charities face, including:

• Governance, trustee duties and constitutional matters
• Charity Commission engagement and regulatory investigations
• Corporate structures, mergers and restructurings
• Fundraising, grants and trading activities
• Employment and HR issues
• Commercial contracts and partnerships
• Data protection and information governance
• Property, intellectual property and technology
• Disputes and reputation management
• International operations and cross-border activity
• Social investment and impact-led finance 

Whether you are responding to a regulatory challenge, reviewing governance arrangements, developing new income streams, managing organisational change or pursuing your strategic objectives, we bring legal expertise combined with a deep understanding of the charity sector. 

Sector expertise that goes beyond legal advice

Many of our lawyers are charity trustees themselves. We work closely with boards, chief executives and executive teams every day, giving us a practical perspective on the opportunities and pressures facing modern charities. 

Our clients include major national charities, international NGOs, foundations, membership bodies, faith organisations, arts and cultural charities, education providers, environmental organisations and social enterprises. We regularly advise organisations operating in complex regulatory environments, including those with international structures, significant fundraising operations and multiple stakeholders.

A different kind of law firm

We are a different kind of law firm with impact at our heart. We were the first UK law firm to become a B Corp and remain one of the highest-scoring law firms in the global B Corp community. We believe legal advice should help organisations achieve their goals while contributing positively to society and the environment. 

Our pragmatic advice, collaborative approach and deep sector expertise have made us trusted advisers to charities and purpose-driven organisations across the UK and internationally