If you are considering setting up a new charity, or you would like to discuss changing the structure of your existing charity, we can help. We routinely advise on the establishment of new charities and have extensive experience dealing with the Charity Commission.
We understand that there is a huge amount of work involved in getting any new venture off the ground, and new charities are no exception. The legal process can often become an overwhelming added burden and a distraction from everything else you need to get done. Our experienced team of charity lawyers can help ease this burden and support you through a smooth charity registration process.
In addition to setting up new charities, we also regularly advise on restructuring existing charities. Many charities are structured as charitable trusts or unincorporated associations, and we often advise on incorporating them as a charitable company or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
We can also advise on other restructuring projects, including converting charitable companies, community benefit societies and community interest companies to become CIOs, and setting up and restructuring charity group arrangements (involving both charitable and non-charitable subsidiaries).
Our charity formation and restructuring services are tailored to suit your specific requirements. As such, if you are interested in our services, we will send you a brief scoping questionnaire to complete and return so that we may consider your needs and provide you with a bespoke proposal.
Our Experience
Birketts advises Barnardo’s on charitable status for subsidiary, Adoptionplus
Birketts’ Charities Team advised on restructuring Barnardo’s subsidiary, Adoptionplus, as a charity and successfully applying for registration with the Charity Commission. Adoptionplus is a therapeutic adoption agency based in Buckinghamshire and North London. The charity offers a range of therapy services and training in the area of developmental and relational trauma.
Birketts advises on the formation of the Margate Creative Land Trust
Birketts’ Charities Team advised Thanet District Council on the formation of the Margate Creative Land Trust. Margate was one of 100 places to have been offered the Town Deal in 2019 and a key project within this was to establish and capitalise an independent Creative Land Trust. The charity will purchase its own properties to be used as permanently affordable workspaces for the creative sector in Margate.
Birketts advises Ipswich School on restructuring to have a sole corporate trustee
We advised on the incorporation of Ipswich School by establishing a sole corporate trustee in place of the individual charity trustees. The School is a charitable trust with an endowment and investment property portfolio. For various reasons, restructuring the charity as a company or CIO was complex, so we advised on setting up a sole corporate trustee. This is a less common approach to incorporation for charities, which achieves the benefits of incorporated status.
Key Contacts
