Louisa joined Birketts in 2005 and leads our Charity Property practice.
She is a Legal Director in our Charities Team and advises charities and other not-for-profit organisations in all their dealings with land and property. With over 20 years’ experience in all aspects of commercial real estate, the last 10 of those specialising in advising charities, Louisa is an expert on governance, decision-making best practice and compliance with the Charities Act 2011.
Louisa’s practice is hugely varied and interesting and includes buying and selling property for investment or occupational purposes, landlord and tenant issues, strategic development, compliance with charity law in the context of land and property and the property aspects of charity mergers, incorporations and restructures.
She is a member of the Ethical Property Foundation’s register of property professionals, the Charities’ Property Association, the Charity Law Association and is key contact for our corporate membership of the Charity Retail Association. Louisa speaks at sector events, regularly writes articles on topical issues, and takes an active interest in the development of the sector.
Recent work highlights
Acting for household name charity retailers on their charity retail shop portfolios.
Advising The Charterhouse, a unique and ancient institution, on its property portfolio.
Dealing with the acquisition of a Grade I listed country mansion house for a client, along with lettings following its conversion to high quality serviced offices.
Acting for landowning charities entering into development agreements, including overage, promotion agreements and other complex contractual provisions, thereby releasing funds for their charitable objectives.
Assisting charities with advice on the receipt of legacies comprising land and property which has included some interesting and unique properties!
Experience & education
2005 Joined Birketts
2003 Qualified with Osborne Clarke
Insights
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The Boyne Bridge case – key points for heritage charitieslegal updateThe Boyne Bridge case – key points for heritage charities
Multiple Authors11 Dec 20245 min read128 -
Heritage buildings and embodied carbon: to refurbish or replace?legal updateHeritage buildings and embodied carbon: to refurbish or replace?
Louisa Saunders15 May 20244 min read37
