Tom Murdoch

Partner

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Tom specialises in charity law and is particularly known for his expertise in charitable status, the development of novel charitable purposes and the governance and control of complex charity structures, including charity spin-offs from the state. He acts for a wide variety of charities and social enterprises in various areas, including public interest information, social investment, educational and campaigning organisations; academic, professional and learned institutions; and heritage, science and environmental/conservation charities.

Tom advises on contentious and charity-law compliance issues, structural re-organisations, amendment of royal charters, trading, mergers and restricted funds, special trusts and endowments. Tom also has extensive experience of Interim Manager (“IM”) work, both being appointed by the Charity Commission as IM in several high-profile cases and in assisting Stone King clients respond to Charity Commission investigations and IM appointments.

"an expert in charity law who is confident and highly personable." Client Feedback in Chambers, 2021.

Recent charity work includes:

establishing a new charitable purpose to cover Public Interest Journalism; registering the first such charity; and contributing to Dame Francis Cairncross’ submissions to the Lords Communications Committee;
assisting a household name thinktank conduct novel forms of social investment;
advising a royal trust on planned spend-out and closure;
first registration of new charitable purposes associated with open source content, local authority public health responsibilities and novel Covid-related purposes;
assisting with the conversion of a national Government-sponsored social enterprise to a new royal charter body;
establishing a new charity to manage significant public assets in London;
assisting the Government with the establishment of a new national infrastructure charity;
participating in diverse working parties on the development of charity law, including on the Charities Act 2022.

Interests include the 'common good', ‘public interest’ information and social-purpose enterprise and finance.

What our clients say

"Tom has a deep and broad understanding of charity law and a range of relevant governance issues. He has a great ability to put himself in our shoes, and his responses are well-tailored and specific."

Chambers feedback 2025

What our clients say

"He has a great ability to put himself in our shoes, and his responses are well-tailored and specific."

Chambers feedback 2025

What our clients say

"He is delightful to work with. He gets to the heart of the issues involved in a case quickly."

What our clients say

"Tom is an excellent charities lawyer who demonstrates excellent judgement. He is shrewd and charming too."

What our clients say

"He is a very good technical lawyer who has sound instincts."

What our clients say

"Tom is an extremely thoughtful, thorough and pragmatic individual."

What our clients say

‘Tom Murdoch has provided very sound advice that reflects his understanding of the practical realities of running a charity. He has continued to provide pragmatic advice.’

What our clients say

‘Both Tom Murdoch and Sam Dowgill have been approachable, listen well and respond in a timely way.’

What our clients say

‘I have worked with one individual in particular at Stone King (Tom Murdoch). He has gone out of his way to support, encourage, inform, structure, enable and ensure success in the projects that we have been working on together (gaining charitable status for local news organisations). I cannot speak highly enough of Tom, who demonstrates both a deep knowledge of the law and the ability to apply it exceptionally well on behalf of his clients (in this case the charitable body on whose board I sit).’

What our clients say

Tom Murdoch …is praised for his "integrity and attention to detail as well as his remarkable energy and complete focus on achieving great results for his clients. He remains calm and persuasive when dealing with regulators and counterparties during the most complex negotiations".

Legal 500 - 2017