Bates Wells is one of the UK’s leading charity law firms, with top-tier technical expertise to guide your fundraising teams through complex regulatory, legal and tax requirements.

We can provide your fundraising team with the policies, templates and training they need to roll out new and creative approaches. We frequently advise charities embarking on new fundraising products, such as online giving platforms, lotteries, raffles, prize draws, challenge events and innovative corporate relationships. We know how to unpick the legal knots, and how to help you make sure that more money reaches the charity.

Our expert fundraising team includes in-house tax and data protection specialists, who advise on a range of areas; from direct marketing, the charitable soft opt-in exemption and the implications of using AI, through to gift aid, VAT on fundraising and tax implications in fundraising agreements.

If your fundraising ever becomes front page news for the wrong reasons, our media disputes team can help you manage the damage and make sure that you continue to meet your regulatory obligations. We also advise on investigations by the Fundraising Regulator, Information Commissioner, the Charity Commission and HMRC.

We’re the firm of choice for thousands of social enterprises and charities. We have been ranked in the top band for charities by both independent legal directories, Chambers UK and Legal 500. We have years of experience in advising charities on all fundraising matters. This allows us to give cost-effective and practical advice, to support you in achieving your goals.