Constitutional Issues

The team provides expert advice to charities on updating their constitutions to take account of changing circumstances. We are highly experienced in acting for charities on applications for a Charity Commission scheme or order where this is required.

Recent matters include:

• advising on an application for a Charity Commission scheme to update the trusts relating to funds held on special trusts;
• advising trustees on a possible application for a cy press scheme to alter the objects of the charity concerned.

Incorporation

An increasing proportion of charities are involved in activities which regularly require commercial agreements to be entered into.  We advise the trustees of unincorporated charities on incorporation where appropriate, in order to allow the charity to enter into contracts in its own name and to reduce the potential personal liability of the trustees.

Recent matters include advising on and dealing with the incorporation of a charity operating a drop-in centre for the homeless and unemployed.