Charities
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7242 6105Chambers Review
Serle Court has an established reputation in the charities market and houses members who have been present in many of the most prominent cases of recent years. Individuals here represent charities in rate relief cases, trustee disputes and appeals against Charity Commission decisions. They are also sought after for advice and representation by both the Attorney General and the Charity Commission. Other areas of interest include tax and trust law matters and judicial reviews. Recent cases handled include Nuffield Health v London Borough of Merton, a seminal case before the Court of Appeal raising what Lord Justice Peter Jackson called a "novel" and "fundamental issue of principle" as to the eligibility of premises owned by multi-site charities for relief from non-domestic rates.
Nicholas Hockney is a practice director at Serle Court.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks are responsive, approachable and helpful overall."
"The clerks are responsive, approachable and helpful overall."
Notable Practitioners
Jonathan Fowles is an impressive barrister across all aspects of charity law who regularly advises charities on constitutional matters and counsels trustees as to their duties and capacities. Much of his work is highly sensitive, and his instructions include a number of significant contentious cases in the sector. He has experience with statutory inquiries and is an expert in cases with reputational damage angles. He co-edits 'Tudor on Charities' along with William Henderson.
"Jonathan is user-friendly and conscious of clients' needs."
"Jonathan has both impressive technical expertise and sector awareness."