CHARITIES,SOCIAL ENTERPRISES & NGOs
The non-profit sector is critical to the functioning of society, tackling a broad range of social and environmental issues. However, leading a charity, social enterprise or NGO has never been more challenging, with a growing demand for services and impact alongside less funding and more regulation.
Real estate is a key asset for charities, serving operational, fundraising and/or investment purposes. Yet it also represents a risk factor. The most recent EPF Charity Matters Survey demonstrates that risk level continues to increase due to the cost-of-living and energy crises, the impacts of the pandemic, reduced income streams and recent landmark cases surrounding property disposals for charities.
​
OUR SERVICES
What we can advise on
-
Advice related to meeting your obligations under the Charities Act 2011.
​
-
Non-standard property transactions that require consent from the Charity Commission.
​
-
Negotiation and completion of leases for offices, retail spaces or other operational premises.
​
-
Acquisitions of properties for your investment fund.
​
-
Disposal of premises, complying with the Charity Act 2011.
​
-
Complex charity 'hive-offs'.
​
-
Full property portfolio management.
​
-
Sub-leases of premises to minimise costs/income.
​
-
Management of investment or gifted portfolios to maximise yields.
​
-
Best-value advice.
​
-
Policy advice relating to real estate, planning, construction and environmental issues.
​
-
Lease exits, break notices and dilapidations negotiations.
HOW WE ADD VALUE
-
Market-leading real estate practice with senior-level legal experience supporting non-profits.
​​
-
Team has acted for many non-profits, ensuring all advice is reputationally, commercially and operationally sound.
​​
-
Support for advisory and management teams.
​​
-
Effective client management linking to external audit, governance and oversight requirements.
​​
-
A specialist ESG group experienced at addressing environmental, social and governance issues.
​​
-
Expertise in net zero carbon transitioning, green leases and the use and opportunities created by new technologies.
​​
-
An effective approach to risk management.
​​
-
Knowledge transfer and training.
​​
-
Client Directors with extensive non-profit leadership and crisis management experience available to your team at all times.
Our team has helped non-profits to navigate these challenges, supporting them to launch new and innovative services and concepts to further their aims while simultaneously protecting and enhancing their reputations. Many of our team serve as non-profit volunteers and trustees, and a number of our lawyers have previously worked in-house for charities and NGOs. We build deep, meaningful relationships with our impact-driven clients, helping individuals and organisations to manage risk, take informed decisions and leverage valuable networks.
​
KEY CONTACTS
.jpg)
RESULTS FOR CLIENTS
Advised Habitat for Humanity on their Empty Spaces to Homes project, which is addressing the housing crisis by transforming former office and retail spaces into affordable, quality homes.
Advised a global charity on the roll-out of their first UK retail arm.
Advised The Royal Parks on elements of their transition from a government funded body to a charity.
Negotiated and secured a museum lease for the Florence Nightingale Museum Trust.
.jpg)
Negotiated and secured a lease for a new London HQ for the Medical Research Foundation.
Advised a charity on the licences and other elements needed for fundraising events, resulting in over £100million worth of income.
Advised The Royal Parks on their charitable duties to maintain London’s Royal Parks including St James’s Park, Hyde Park and The Green Park.
TESTIMONIALS
"Your lawyer has been an invaluable member of the team during busy times for us... their flexible legal skills have ensured a seamless service with clients, and added much-needed robustness to the team at a challenging time."
​
TOP 20 UK LAW FIRM