BTO have deep, long established credentials in the not for profit sector, a particularly diverse and vibrant area which includes charities, community enterprises, Registered Social Landlords and other third sector organisations from large to small.
Each organisation has its own unique challenges and objectives, and we tailor our approach accordingly. Common to all organisations, however, is that they operate in a complex regulatory environment, with stringent reporting obligations. It can be easy to fall foul of the rules and regulations if you do not have specialist and committed legal support.
It is not just compliance that can be a challenge. Most organisations face ongoing funding issues. Getting grant, finance or other commercial agreements right can be make or break.
We can help you with the full span of legal issues that you have to navigate. Our team is committed to collaborating with you to help you achieve your social, community and wider objectives, no matter their complexity, and we regularly advise on the most significant challenges and opportunities in the sector.
We can help you with the full range of commercial and other issues, such as:
We offer the full range of employment services, including drafting policies and employment contracts, and we can defend any claims brought by employees. We are alive to the nuances of equality, diversity and inclusion.
If you need to restructure, we will give you clear, accessible advice about redundancies, mergers, and trustee/director departures.
We can provide expert advice on all governance and regulatory issues, including drafting bespoke constitutions tailored to your specific needs, as well as advising on trustee/director duties.
We have great experience at working with, for example, the Housing Regulator or Charities Regulator and advise on any regulatory issue that requires to be considered.
From negotiating leases, advising on sales and purchase, development projects and security over assets, property tends to be a core element and we have unrivalled experience in this area, including, for example, within the social housing sector.
For new organisations, we help you decide which legal structure is right. It may, for example, be a charitable trust, a company limited by guarantee, or a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation or other structure. We can help you obtain charitable status and register your organisation with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
We provide straightforward, expert training on key issues and often collaborate with other organisations to deliver specialist charity or other training in a particular area of focus.
Unique to our team is a range of Law Society of Scotland accredited specialists, including in employment law, IP, construction, commercial property leases, data protection and FOI law, who deliver a comprehensive, tailored service and offer practical and creative solutions, including training, packaged to suit your specific requirements.
You will always be kept in the loop and aware of the progress we are making.
We provide a one stop shop for all types of not for profit organisations. Our lawyers get to know you and your organisation and give you holistic advice.
You require legal advisors who fully understand your sector and how you operate. Years of experience in and commitment to the not for profit sector mean that we thoroughly understand the sector and appreciate your wider concerns.
Many of our lawyers are members of charity or community boards and see first-hand the challenges and opportunities organisations face.
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