Services For Charities

Charities and other not for profit organisations play an increasingly important role in the social and economic fabric of the country. Not surprisingly, therefore, they are becoming ever more tightly regulated. The Charities Act 2006 has introduced a raft of new legislation and in particular has brought in the public benefit requirement which is a serious threat to the status of some charities particularly those in the field of private education. Charities are not only subject to specific charity legislation but also to employment law, privacy, health and safety and environmental law and general commercial law.

The 2006 Act also introduced a new form of charitable structure, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which is expected to be available for use shortly. CIOs have great potential and many existing charities are likely to want to change their status to become one.

Blanchards Bailey LLP acts for many local, and not so local, charities and now operates a specialist charity unit. Advice is available on choosing the most appropriate legal structure (including a CIO), writing a workable constitution, ensuring that the objects will pass the charitable and public benefit test and on all other aspects of charity law and the day to day running of a charity. We also support several local charities and local efforts for nationwide ones. Most recently was the Race for Life on 23rd May at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, by our successful team of runners !

The unit is run by David Lang a consultant to Blanchards Bailey LLP with long and varied experience in charity law. A particular feature of the unit is that as far as possible fees charged will take sympathetic account of the client charity’s financial status and in some cases services may be provided without charge.

Please contact David Lang on 01258 488225 or email david.lang@blanchardsbailey.co.uk for further details of services provided and fees charged.