The law and practice referred to in this article or webinar has been paraphrased or summarised. It might not be up-to-date with changes in the law and we do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided at the time of reading. It should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice in relation to a specific set of circumstances.
We have built a reputation over many years as a leading firm advising the full spectrum of faith organisations, including Buddhist organisations.
We have significant experience in the issues that affect faith clients of all beliefs and sects as they seek to fulfil their mission within the sometimes difficult constraints of civil charity law and regulation. We understand the need to provide advice and solutions to legal problems in a way that is consistent with your mission and the ethos of your faith.
We are able to provide bespoke and specialist advice to your Buddhist organisation, and recognise the need to provide advice that is sympathetic to the particular religious context and ethos of your organisation, including especially the interplay of Civil Law with relevant religious rules.
The firm has a collective wisdom built up over hundreds of years of service and we bring all our experience to provide appropriate solutions that protect our clients’ reputation, ethos, integrity and brand.
We have worked with different Buddhist organisations including those which are newly established in the UK and long-standing UK Buddhist organisations seeking support in all areas of law. We have connections with religious intermediaries that provide support to religious organisations and we are familiar with the issues that apply to religious organisations. This may include issues relating to appropriate governance/constitutional structures; the housing and support of religious leaders; immigration issues including bringing spiritual leaders and members to the UK; and the acquisition of appropriate premises for worship, meditation and mission.
- Constitutional and Governance issues & trustee responsibilities
- Charitable Status and public benefit
- Charity Commission investigations
- Trustee responsibilities
- Discrimination and Equality issues
- Employment and HR matters
- Advice for educational establishments
- Safeguarding of children and vulnerable individuals / adults
- Legacies matters and & fundraising
- Data protection issues and intellectual property
- Immigration issues, including sponsorship licence applications and visa routes for spiritual leaders and members
- International Matters
- Health & Safety and Regulatory advice
- Property acquisition, management & disposal/leasing/management
- Construction and Development
- Commercial and Financial matters
- Transferring missions to lay management
- Mergers
- Dispute resolution matters
- Care provision
Webinars:
- Bringing Religious Workers to the UK as visitors – here
- Advent Series: here
- Bringing Volunteers to the UK webinar – here
- Workers From Overseas in Charities and the Role of Visitors – here
- Sponsorship Licence Compliance – Do’s and Don’t’s – here
Training:
Right to Work Briefing Sheet 2022 here
Other website pages:
We have been involved at the forefront of recent legal developments for faith organisations, for example:
- Testing for the first time the extent to which religious organisations can make religious beliefs and practice a “genuine occupational requirement”;
- Involvement in the leading Supreme Court case relating to the application of religious qualifications for school admission policies;
- Working with a national charity seeking to challenge the Charity Commission’s approach to religion and public benefit, following the removal of the presumption of public benefit in the advancement of religion;
- Obtaining charitable status for activities of closed religious communities in the light of changing circumstances and overcoming long established case law restrictions; and
- Helping to develop constitutional documents that are consistent with faith organisations’ internal governance principles that are acceptable to the Charity Commission.
Faith based organisations often have a long and rich history, in many cases going back centuries. We look to build long lasting relationships with our clients to enable us to develop a genuine insight into your faith. This enables us to provide advice that is consistent with the longer-term changes in your mission as circumstances change.
We appreciate that for faith-based organisations reputation and integrity are core to your mission and objectives. Our significant experience enables us to provide solutions that not only address the legal issues in play, but also seek to do so in a practical way that protects both your reputation and your integrity.
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