Charity & Social Enterprise

‘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.’
 

‘The firm uses a good thoughtful and consultative approach in its client interactions.’
 

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

‘They have taken time to understand our issues and tailored their approach to our circumstances. Stone King have also been clear with their advice and challenged us when appropriate.’
 

‘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).’
 

‘I have been privileged to work with a number of people from Stone King. I have found them to be assiduous, helpful, insightful, constructive and – very importantly – always good listeners.’
 

‘They have a real understanding of religious organisations and can offer support for a variety of matters that wouldn’t occur for many secular organisations.’
 

‘Their knowledge of the charity sector is excellent. We worked very closely with Tim Rutherford and Alice O’Mahony and they are a superb team.’
 

‘They are outstanding in their expertise, approachability, efficiency, and support.’
 

‘I found Stone King utterly refreshing. Their collaborative approach, made it possible for me to get the outcome I wanted whilst being compliant, this is very different to having to mold my ideas to fit a model with other firms.’
 

‘Ann Phillips has been a great source of strength, expertise and legal brain. Equally Julian Blake. Efficient, focused, rounded and informed in their advice. Their work is pre-emptive, thoughtful and acknowledges the operating environment of their client’.
 

‘In my experience of Stone King, their depth of knowledge – both legal and practical within the charity sector is fantastic. Their ability to make the law accessible but also ‘put themselves in the shoes’ of their charity clients is so valuable. They are consistently strong listeners, pragmatic whilst guiding you within the law’.
 

‘Stone King has exceptional expertise in the field of social enterprises and the wider social economy. They are highly skilled and experienced and value driven which makes them stand out from lawyers in other firms. Key people working in this area that really stand out include Julian Blake, Hannah Kubie and Nicole Reed’.
 

‘Julian Blake is the most committed, probably the most able and in my view the best charity and social enterprise solicitor. He provides exceptional client care and support and consistently achieves effective solutions whatever the complexities’
 

‘The specialist support and advice provided by Lee Coley and more recently by Frances Godden is excellent. This is particularly in respect of land and trust matters. Lee Coley is measured and considered and provides clear advice and guidance that supports me to make effective decisions’.
 

‘Stephen Ravenscroft – Responses to claims have been handled with judgement, care and sensitivity, and have seen the firm working successfully and very constructively with trustees of the trust and gallery’. 
 

‘Responsive team. Support us over a variety of different areas, including government contracting, commercial activities, HE/employment law, IP and charity governance. Committed to the charity’s success’.
 

‘Stone King offers first class legal and management expertise at all levels, combining exceptional expertise in sectors, leading solicitors across a wide range of specialist fields, regional teams as centres of excellence nationwide and client care second to none making the firm a first choice for my clients’.
 

"….she is extremely able, very hard working and willing to work collaboratively to meet our needs. She is very well connected and well informed about sector developments."

Chambers and Partners (UK) 2019/20

"Rosamund McCarthy is without doubt the best there is. She combines her expertise with compassion and an unrelenting focus on the specific needs of her clients. And this never falters despite being under extreme pressure."

Legal 500 (UK) 2019/20

"….has a high profile in the charity sector acting for the top 100 charities on governance and complex matters."

Legal 500 2019/20

"A leading practitioner with experience in a wide range of charity law issues. She has notable expertise advising clients on regulatory matters and inquiries as well as assisting with corporate structuring and governance issues."

Chambers 2021

"Very impressed with their knowledge of charity law and the fact that they had dealt with issues like mine previously. They were able to explain things to us in relatively simple terms and keep us on the right track."

Client Feedback in Chambers, 2021

"Their willingness to support clients with all aspects of their charitable businesses and providing advice in a timely and friendly manner makes the practice stand above others. The team also have a thorough understanding of the organisation, which supports the provision of advice on various matters."

Legal 500, 2021

‘Excellent knowledge of their subject area. Very articulate. Very good understanding of their clients’ activities, operations and needs.’

Legal 500, 2021

"Thank you very much for all your help in this. It has been, for us, a rather complex and confusing business and your advice has been invaluable in enabling us to understand the legal issues and to ensure we are ticking all the right boxes."

2019 Charity Client

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

Colin Bailey, National Lottery Heritage Fund - 2019

"They take the time to really get to know the organisation; they offer proactive as well as reactive advice and support, they are incredibly knowledgeable and reliable, the quality of their work is exceptional and they always think things through from all angles."

Chambers

"Many interviewees are quick to laud the insight the firm offers, with one praising the team's expertise and in-depth knowledge of the charity sector, as well as its solution-orientated and pragmatic approach."

Chambers

"The team is lauded for its ‘well-presented advice’ and for the fact that there are ‘sufficient subject matter experts on hand to be able to tackle a wide range of questions’."

Legal 500

"They were incredibly impressive - they have very practical experience in terms of having done it before, and a good understanding of best practice."

Client feedback in Chambers 

“Stone King's overriding value is the care and the support of their clients. They are fully aware of our needs and ensure that they maintain excellent service.”

Client feedback in Chambers