Jonathan Burchfield

Consultant

Charity & Social Enterprise Team

Jonathan is recognised as Lawyer of the Year 2020 by the peer review publication Best Lawyers, he was also ranked one of the Top 10 Leading Lawyers amongst Charity advisers by Citywealth magazine in its 2019 Leaders List. He qualified in 1978 and has concentrated exclusively on charity law matters since the early 1990s. He was a Partner with Nabarro before joining Stone King in 2006.

In his work, Jonathan focuses on advising charities on all aspects of charity law and practice, and on their corporate governance. He is also a member of our Legacy Team which advises charities on all aspects of legacy fundraising and administration.

Jonathan regularly speaks and writes on charity law matters and worked for many years on the Executive Committee of the Charity Law Association. He has had significant experience in acting as a charity trustee (both of service-providing and grant-making charities). He is also an honorary member of the SCR of Exeter College, Oxford.

Jonathan was appointed by the Charity Commission as the Interim Manager of The Cup Trust in April 2013 and completed his work on that case in 2017.

Recent Publications

Karl Lagerfeld’s cat: the reality of pet inheritance

Recent testimonials

"very knowledgeable, thoughtful and ready to consider and develop alternative proposals."

Client feedback in Chambers - 2020
Recent testimonials

"Many thanks to you and the team for fantastic work and quite exceptional service!"

Colin Bailey, National Lottery Heritage Fund - 2019
Recent testimonials

"His experience is very deep, he's been advising charities most of his professional life and he understands the culture of these institutions."

Chambers - 2019
Recent testimonials

"You and team have been simply outstanding!

"We felt protected and well-guided throughout this. Your team was grounded, robust; wise and inspirational to work with"

Dr. Kaneez Shaid MBE, Chair of Trustees of Citizens U.K
Recent testimonials

He heads the legacy team and instils confidence in his clients with his "amiable nature, sound understanding and encyclopaedic knowledge of charity law”.

Chambers - 2011
Recent testimonials

...has "superb understanding of the inner workings of the Charity Commission."

Legal 500 - 2012
Recent testimonials

"He has wide experience of non-profit structures and is always willing to assist people in understanding the current issues in the charity marketplace."

Chambers - 2013
Recent testimonials

The "superb" Jonathan Burchfield receives glowing accolades. Clients say they "value his wise head and encouragement of prudent risk-taking in a sector that is risk-averse".

Chambers - 2014
Recent testimonials

Jonathan Burchfield assisted with the setting up of the first Healthwatch organisation, Healthwatch Sutton. Peers and clients frequently allude to his "genuine knowledge of the sector," adding that he understands the inherent "professional sensitivities" and "commercial" needs of charitable organisations.

Chambers - 2014
Recent testimonials

Jonathan Burchfield serves as the lead partner of the firm's charity and social enterprise team. He advises on the full range of matters including charity registration, compliance and insolvency. He is praised as "a real stalwart" with a "broad and varied practice."

Chambers - 2016