Our team has a deep understanding of the specific challenges facing charities, social enterprises and third sector organisations.
Acting for over 10% of Scotland’s 300 largest charities and recognised by the independent legal directories as leading experts in charity law, MacRoberts is well-known for working with charities on regulatory matters.
Our team is skilled in advising on governance matters and we regularly work with clients on relationships amongst board members, management and stakeholders.
We are heavily involved in developing and advising on evolving structures between the public and third sectors, drawing upon combined team specialisms of public law and procurement, grants, tax, IPR and data protection in addition to base charity law and charity regulation.
We are also increasingly involved in high-profile charity regulatory and governance matters, key board agenda items such as data protection compliance, fundraising regulation and safeguarding, and complex charity structuring involving inputs on aspects of tax law.
Our team’s practical approach and in-depth sector knowledge is welcomed by clients.
Key areas of our advice include charitable trusts, regulatory advice, data protection compliance, fundraising regulation, governance, tax, intellectual property, marketing and communicating with the public, service users and donors, risk management and safeguarding.
We regularly work with international charity clients and social enterprises, both as legal advisers and facilitators, and are regularly involved in the annual Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), championing the potential of social enterprise, strengthening global networks and building capacity and capability across the sector.
The team draws on the strengths of all team members and the level of professional supervision and oversight involved creates confidence in advice and guidance.
LEGAL 500
Last year, the High Court in Batson v Charity Commission for England and Wales showed the power the Charity Commission has over trustees. It also showed the court’s commitment to preserving this power in order to allow the Charity Commission to operate effectively and best serve the interests of the charity.
The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 16 November 2022 following legislative proposals put forward by The Office of Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
In our latest podcast, Agne Zasinaite and Katie MacLeod discuss some of the frequently asked questions about becoming a charity Trustee.
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In 2016, we were one of the first law firms in Scotland to become accredited Living Wage employers.
Shortlisted for Firm of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2022.
Winners of Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year and Family Law Team of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards 2020.
Our Real Estate team won the Property Team of the Year Award at the British Legal Awards in 2018.
Winner of SME of the Year at the Scottish SME Awards 2017, hosted by Scottish Business Insider.
Highly Commended for Commercial Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2016.
In 2019, MacRoberts achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a UK Government entry-level information security standard.
MacRoberts holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management, the most widely recognised quality management system standard in the world.
MacRoberts holds the ISO14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to environmental awareness.
MacRoberts holds the ISO27001:2013 certification for Information Security, an internationally recognised security gold standard.
Business continuity is a critical element of the Business Management System at MacRoberts and we hold full accreditation with the ISO 22301:2019.
MacRoberts is a member of IP Inclusive, a network of intellectual property professionals working to make our community more equal, diverse and inclusive.
We are active members of the PRIME Programme – an organisation that focuses on ensuring a career in law is open to talent from all economic and social backgrounds.
MacRoberts supports the Scottish Business Pledge, a values-led partnership between Government and business that is based on boosting productivity and competitiveness through fairness, equality and sustainable employment.
We are supporters of the Partnership for Change, a network of organisations and individuals who share a common ambition to improve diversity on boards and in senior leadership.
We are a member of the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI), a UK-based not-for-profit organisation which helps employers build and maintain diverse teams and inclusive cultures through our membership, training, and consultancy services.
In 2022, MacRoberts was awarded enei's Silver TIDEMark. TIDE is enei's self-assessment evaluation and benchmarking tool which measures an organisation's overall approach and progress on diversity and inclusion.
MacRoberts is a Disability Confident employer, and are committed to disability equality across our firm.
MacRoberts fully supports flexible working practices and supports family-friendly working practices.
In 2022, MacRoberts received a Bronze Award in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index for our commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusivity in the workplace.
MacRoberts is a longstanding member of Scotland Food & Drink, the leading trade association for Scotland's food and drink industry.
MacRoberts is an Associate Member of SELECT, Scotland's largest construction trade association.
