The legal needs of charities are very varied and are growing all the time. In recognition of this Rollits has developed a specialist Charity Group. The group deals with all areas of charity law and advises all types of charities, offering a co-ordinated service to clients.

By having a dedicated group we are much better able to serve the needs of all our charity clients. The Charity Group comprises individuals drawn from various disciplines across the firm, not only charity law, but also employment, property, company and commercial, litigation, trusts and tax and social housing - all areas where charities now need specialist advice. Our reputation in advising charities is well known, and we act for numerous national and local charities.

Partner Ros Harwood, who practices exclusively in charity law, heads up the Group. One of the country's leading charity solicitors, she joined Rollits from a top London firm where she was head of their charity group. Ros is recognised as a leading individual and legal expert in legal directories such as 'Chambers and Partners', 'The Legal 500' and 'Legal Experts'. She is also Secretary of The Charity Law Association.

Services

* Establishing new charities
* Advising trustees on their responsibilities and liabilities
* Charity mergers
* Constitutional issues
* Incorporation
* Joint ventures/sponsorship

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We have extensive experience of working with the National Council for Voluntary Organisation, as well as with a wide range of charitable and other voluntary organisations.

The number of charities increases daily and the Firm prides itself on the considerable volume of work it is continually undertaking in this area.

The department is headed by one of the Country's leading experts in charity law who is ideally placed to offer comprehensive advice on such law.

Our specialist Charities sector group comprising 5 charity law specialists is made up of 4 partners and 1 senior solicitor. All members of the Charities sector group are members of the Charity Law Association and our senior members have actively participated in its working parties and other activities. The core team works closely with other solicitors throughout the firm to provide a tailored service for charities.

Chambers Legal Directory 2003 - 2004 places us at first place in the South of England and in the Thames Valley region for charity law, stating that:

"The May 2003 merger of Blake Lapthorn with Linnells united two of the most highly respected regional players in charities; their combined remit now extends throughout The South and Thames Valley areas. The firm is widely considered to be "ahead of the game," providing a "one-stop shop" service that comprises both commercial and constitutional capabilities.

"First-class" practitioner Elizabeth Davis heads the charities practice across the firm from her base in Portsmouth. She gained unanimous praise as "a genuine specialist and national player who combines warm approachability with excellent, practical knowledge." and "Joss Saunders leads the team in Oxford. Hailed as a "genuine specialist," Saunders has an "inspired" practice that includes acting as company secretary for Oxfam, which has generated substantial instructions from overseas aid agencies."

We work for over 400 charities and not for profit organisations including a number of large national and regionally centered charities and many smaller and community based charities. The majority of our charity clients and many others are companies limited by guarantee. We have considerable experience of setting up and advising on the law relating to this type of company. The firm is appointed to the Charity Commission panel of Receivers and Managers and Approved Intermediaries.

Our charity clients include:

* aid charities (UK and overseas)
* arts organisationsm benevolent associations
* elderly and special care charities
* community charities
* educational charities
* fair trade organisations
* faith based charities/Christian charities
* heritage charities and museums
* housing associations
* learned societies
* leisure trusts
* maritime charities
* non charity social enterprises
* professional associations
* research charities
* special interest charities
* sports related organisations and clubs
* umbrella bodies
* wildlife and environmental charities

The team has acted for charities pursuing a wide variety of charitable objectives from obtaining charitable status to advising them and their trustees on all matters relating to their charitable status and activities. The teams experience not only encompasses the establishment of new charities, but also the incorporation and operation of trading subsidiaries of existing charities.

From the outset, it is important that all concerned are aware of the legislation governing charities which is in place to ensure that a charity and its assets are properly administered.

The team has close geographical and personal links with the Charity Commission office based in Liverpool which is responsible for the majority of applications of charitable status as well as inquiries into the affairs of Charities where problems have been encountered for complaints by the public have been made.

The team will advise on all aspects affecting a charity, including:

· Choice of governing document, whether it be under a trust deed or through a company limited by guarantee (including the incorporation the same)
· Application for charitable status
· Advising trustees on their duties and obligations
· Advice on fundraising agreements and other fundraising activities, including the drafting of appropriate documentation
· Liasing with the Charity Commission where appropriate and advising on the extent of their powers of investigation
· The establishment and operation of trading subsidiaries