SME News Q1 2024 / 44 Best Charity Law Firm - Northern Ireland Established in 1963, Edwards & Co. Solicitors is a full-service law firm that has been providing high-quality legal support to charities, individuals and small businesses across Northern Ireland for over 50 years. For its outstanding work in representing clients in the voluntary sector, the firm has recently received the title of Best Charity Law Firm in the Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023. Situated in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter on Hill Street, Edwards & Co. Solicitors is conveniently located with easy access to the Tribunal Building, the Royal Courts of Justice, and the Laganside Court Complex. Alongside its six partners, the firm employs 12 solicitors and paralegals. Edwards & Co. Solicitors represents charities, including many that are registered or operating in Northern Ireland as well as some from further afield. Its services cover issues such as annual reporting, authorising transactions, amending governing documents, gaining consent from the Charity Commission, general governance, making payments to trustees, mergers and closures, new powers for unincorporated charities, requesting a scheme, registration, religious designation, inquiries, and charity tribunal proceedings. Primarily, Edwards & Co. Solicitors deals with daily queries from charities about public benefit, private benefit, submitting annual monitoring returns, applications for consents, and trustee personal liability. It also provides advice related to specialised services, including trustee and board training, group restructures, trading subsidiaries, joint ventures, mergers, serious incident reporting, charity fraud matters, safeguarding, and charity property. Over the years, Edwards & Co. Solicitors has become known for its expertise in advising religious charities of different denominations. Considering the complexities of ecclesiastical law, it is no surprise that a myriad of issues may arise when it comes to governance within a charity that aims to drive the advancement of religion. Impressively, Edwards & Co. Solicitors has become the leading legal practice for charities and associated bodies in Northern Ireland. It is the only firm to be ranked number one by Chambers UK. Furthermore, Partner Sarah Burrows is the only top ranked lawyer in charity law in Northern Ireland with Chambers & Partners. Edwards & Co. Solicitors owes its success in charity law to its dedicated team of professional advisers, who fully immerse themselves in the voluntary sector on a professional and personal basis. Many of the company’s lawyers are charity trustees or volunteers, supporting local, national, and international charities. This selflessness is something that the firm views as highly important and therefore seeks as a priority when recruiting new talent. The Edwards & Co. Solicitors team pride themselves on their ability to deliver friendly, professional, and high-quality services, upholding an unrivalled commitment to the needs of their clients. They maintain the utmost professionalism, ensuring that every client is treated like an individual. Over the years, Edwards & Co. Solicitors has grown from strength to strength, maintaining its position at the forefront of providing advice to the voluntary sector and groundbreaking litigation and judicial reviews. It has successfully recovered millions of pounds in damages for personal injury victims, as well as dealing with a number of claims related to noise-induced hearing loss. The firm has also acted on behalf of large trade unions and professional bodies, vigorously pursuing their members’ cases to achieve excellent results. The Edwards & Co. Solicitors team pride themselves on their ability to deliver friendly, professional, and high-quality services, upholding an unrivalled commitment to the needs of their clients. They maintain the utmost professionalism, ensuring that every client is treated like an individual. For its remarkable work, Edwards & Co. Solicitors has been awarded the title of Best Charity Law Firm in the Northern Ireland Enterprise Awards 2023. In the wake of this success, the firm looks forward to expanding its team with the appointment of department trainee Hannah Sloane as a solicitor. Having completed over four years of training and development, initially as a paralegal then as a trainee solicitor under Sarah Burrows, she brings both experience and enthusiasm to the team. We are pleased to offer our sincere congratulations to Edwards & Co. Solicitors for its success in this year’s Northern Ireland Enterprise Awards and wish its team the best of luck in the coming years. Company: Edwards & Co. Solicitors Web Address: edwardsandcompany.co.uk
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