Mishcon de Reya

Charities are besieged by demands: pressures of regulation, fast changing legislation, the day-to-day challenge of providing public services, and the need to act commercially. Spending donations on legal fees can easily be misinterpreted as wasteful and lead to bad publicity.

WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT 

Our Charities Group understands these pressures and expectations. We use our cross-departmental expertise to advise on all aspects of the law enabling charities and not for profit organisations to operate more effectively and commercially in pursuit of their objectives.

Disputes, meanwhile, can cripple often cash-strapped charities. This is where our innovative approach to litigation insurance and funding comes in. MISHCON PROTECT® is a unique package of funding and insurance products expertly designed to maximise the protection afforded to our clients, whilst minimising the cost involved in bringing or defending a claim. Specifically, it can eliminate the need for a Beddoe Order application, and protect charity and trustee in the event of a loss. It means charities can make decisions about legal action based on the merits of the case, not the financial cost or the risk of bad publicity.

SERVICES
  • Beddoes applications authorising trustees to become involved in litigation
  • Charity proceedings and application to be joined as a party to proceedings
  • Contentious and non-contentious wills, trusts, probate advice
  • Dispute resolution both on behalf of and against charities including Charity Commission inquiries and appeals against their decisions
  • Executors’ powers and duties
  • Legacy fundraising and contested probate, including rectification proceedings and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, challenges to validity and interpretation of wills and caveats

Mark KeenanMark Keenan – Partner

Mark is a partner in the firm’s Mishcon Private department, specialising in trust and estate litigation. Mark recently represented Dr Christine Gill in her successful Court of Appeal challenge that overturned a will leaving the RSPCA a £2.35m farmhouse and land.

He has significant experience in advising charities, private individuals and trustees on Will disputes, Inheritance Act 1975 claims, estate administration issues, breach of trust, proprietary estoppel claims and court of protection matters. He works closely with the Fraud and Family Departments in relation to international trusts disputes often involving asset tracing and recovery in offshore jurisdictions.

Mark is a recognised leader in his field. He is considered by Chambers as “a formidable protector of clients’ interests” (Chambers 2012) and recommended by Legal 500 for his ‘expertise, enthusiasm and tenacity.’ (Legal 500 2011).

W: www.mishcon.com
T: 0207 440 7129
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location: London