Cripps fields a charities and not-for-profit practice with notable strength advising educational institutions, grant-making charities, faith organisations, and high-net-worth individuals on philanthropic initiatives. The team has particular expertise in charity formations and mergers, as well as property and employment issues. Kate Arnold and Dominic Ribet lead the team, with Ribet advising a range of prominent charitable clients on governance and structural matters, including Royal Charter charities and educational bodies. Joanna Ford is noted for her work on trustee duties and insolvency issues, recently advising on the managed closure and liquidation of an independent school, while Harriet Page has an increasingly prominent role in the practice, supporting key clients on the full gamut of charities mandates.

Moore Barlow‘s schools and charities practice advises a diverse roster of national charities, faith-based organisations and not-for-profit bodies on governance, regulatory compliance, restructuring, employment, and property matters. Guildford-based Gordon Reid leads the practice, focusing on both governance and transactional work, while Paul Ridout is the go-to adviser for faith-based, cultural, and medical charities. Joanna Lada-Walicki handles complex employment and safeguarding matters, and Ben Collingwood advises on pastoral and HR issues. George Shepherd is also recommended.

Blandy & Blandy LLP‘s charities and education department has a broad client base spanning local and regional charities, global universities, and national associations. Reading-based practice head Nick Burrows leverages over four decades of experience advising on formations and incorporations as well as constitutional mandates. Jennifer Scott closely supports Burrows on grant and funding arrangements. Angela Bowman, who is head of the firm’s contentious probate team, also contributes to the practice.

Brachers (Part of Lawfront)‘s cross-disciplinary charities team, based across Maidstone and Canterbury, is noted for its comprehensive offering. The practice covers governance, structural reorganisation, property, employment, trust administration, and regulatory compliance work. Christopher Eriksson-Lee is an expert in governance and reorganisation issues, while Sarah Gaines is a go-to for advising charities and not-for-profit organisations on complex property transactions. Catherine Daw specialises in advising third sector clients on employment mandates. Mary Rimmer regularly handles charitable gifts and legacy donations. Helen Stonham also comes recommended.

Debenhams Ottaway’s charities practice advises a broad client base ranging from local trusts to larger national organisations, including educational and ecclesiastical bodies. It draws on expertise across corporate, commercial, real estate, litigation, and private client disciplines. Andrew Yates leads the sector group and is well known for advising on incorporations, mergers, and trustee duties, while Neil Mercer is recognised for his charity property expertise, particularly complex development matters for landowning clients. Claire Sharp co-heads the trusts team and advises on charitable trusts, trust administration, and Charity Commission schemes.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP‘s charities team advises a broad range of third sector clients, with particular strength in assisting Oxbridge colleges, almshouse charities, faith-based organisations and independent schools, drawing on capabilities across the firm's employment, property, disputes and corporate groups. Virginia Henley heads the team, advising across governance, merger, and regulatory matters, while Daff Richardson focuses on matters at the intersection between employment and education. Rachel Spruce, who joined the charities team in 2025 from the firm’s private client practice, is also highlighted.

Trethowans LLP (part of Lawfront)‘s charities governance team, based in Southampton, advises across the full range of charity law matters, including formations, constitutional governance work, mergers, incorporations, regulatory compliance, and charity property matters. Practice head Kirsteen Hook leads on governance and restructuring matters, while Sarah Humphrey heads the charities sector group with a particular focus on charity property.

Blake Morgan LLP‘s charities team, which forms part of its broader commercial and charities department, advises a wide range of organisations across the Thames Valley, South Coast, London and Wales, with particular strength in the education sector. Rachel Sales, promoted to legal director in July 2025, leads on charity property and education matters, while Laura Sherratt focuses on commercial and governance issues.

Lester Aldridge LLP‘s charities and not-for-profit group is recognised for its broad offering spanning governance, regulatory compliance, and charity registration mandates. Department head Lisa Watson-Cook assists with constitutional and structural changes.

Thomson Snell & Passmore‘s charities, education, and not-for-profit sector team has a particular strength in the community support and health and social care space. The practice is led by Nick Hobden, who advises on employment matters for charities and multi-academy trusts.

Religious and faith-based charities, as well as local authority-linked and community charities, rely on Wellers Law Group LLP for advice on governance, property, and impact investment. Paul Martin and Peter Spencer jointly oversee the team. Martin is experienced in advising both local charities and overseas foundations on their activities in the UK, while Spencer is an expert in governance and regulatory matters. Asma Shamim stands out for her charity property capabilities.