Pro bono advice helps charity acquire properties for homeless people
Following on from previous pro bono real estate advice which Charles Russell Speechlys provided to Transform Housing & Support last year, the team at Transform got back in touch in January this year with a request for assistance on acquiring five properties for their beneficiaries. Transform is a Surrey-based charity providing housing and support to more than 1,700 homeless and vulnerable people every year.
Mark Rowden, Senior Associate in Private Property, has been working with Transform over the past few months to complete three of the five property acquisitions to secure homes for formerly homeless individuals. Mark also advised on the other two properties, which fell through early on due to assignment provisions in the leases. Speaking on his pro bono assistance, Mark outlined “I was very happy to work with Transform to secure these properties for their beneficiaries. Transform are doing important work in the local community here in Surrey and surrounding areas, and I hope these flats will be places where homeless people can start to take first steps in their journey to a more independent, stable and fulfilling life.”
Commenting on the pro bono work carried out, Director of Asset Management & Capital Development at Transform, Michael O’Brien said “These particular properties were part of the “Next Steps Accommodation Programme” – a Government and local authority-funded initiative aimed at providing accommodation for rough sleepers. The housing will be used to provide self-contained good-quality accommodation with support for people with complex needs to enable them to live independently. Transform will also assist clients to access benefits/training, education and other services provided by a range of other organisations. The pro bono advice and assistance from Charles Russell Speechlys on these acquisitions has been very gratefully received. Charles Russell Speechlys has been a key partner in supporting us to deliver five Next Steps homes and life-changing outcomes and opportunities for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”
If you are interested in hearing more on our Pro Bono Practice or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Sarah Farrelly.
Our thinking
Sarah Rowley
Charity Training series: Session 2
Join us for the second session in our Charity Training series where we will cover training for Charity Trustees and Senior Executives.
David Berry
David Berry provides comment for CITMA Review on sustainability in the legal sector
“Trying to cut corners or failing to take these efforts seriously would be a huge mistake.”
Sarah Farrelly
Windrush Day 2022 – supporting access to justice
Charles Russell Speechlys is proud to continue supporting survivors of the Windrush scandal in their fight for justice.
Sarah Farrelly
Pro bono support for major office premises move for charity in Stoke-on-Trent
Emmaus entities provide safe homes, community support and meaningful work to formerly homeless people across the UK.
Sarah Farrelly
Pro bono client Everyday Plastic launches collaboration with Greenpeace UK
Are you aware of how much plastic is passing through your home? Do you know what happens to it?
Sarah Rowley
Sarah Rowley quoted by Charity Finance on the legal issues facing charities in 2022
The charities bill will make a number of changes to the legal landscape, but charities also need to be aware of other upcoming legislation.
Kerry Stares
Charles Russell Speechlys joins Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers as a Founding Member
We are delighted to announce that the firm has joined the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers (GAIL) as a Founding Member.
Sarah Farrelly
Pro bono assistance to register charity supporting families living with Long Covid
This registration has been a crucial step for the organisation to open up the possibilities of expansion and much-needed fundraising.
Sarah Rowley
Philanthropy Insights – A discussion with John Pepin and Rennie Hoare of Philanthropy Impact
Join us as we discuss the current landscape of philanthropy in the UK and current trends, priorities and concerns amongst philanthropists.
Sarah Rowley
Sarah Rowley appears in the Apollo and Charles Russell Speechlys’ art law series on the future of museum governance
Are the responsibilities and duties of museum boards in the UK the same as they were, say, 20 years ago?
Sarah Rowley
Rethinking Museum Governance
What are the legal responsibilities of museum trustees?
Sarah Farrelly
Pro bono client The Matrix Trust opens The Hideaway café in Guildford
Profits from every purchase at the café are fed back into Matrix youth projects.
Peter Carlyon
National Pro Bono Week 2021: Z2K’s Disability Benefit Appeals initiative
In 2019, Charles Russell Speechlys joined forces with Zacchaeus 2000 Trust a frontline legal services charity.
Sarah Farrelly
Pro bono partnership with Atkins and Z2K sees successful first Disability Benefit Appeals case
Charles Russell Speechlys launched our partnership with Atkins and Zacchaeus 2000 Trust to take on Disability Benefit Appeals cases.
Amelia Goodwin writes for Civil Society on a recent employment tribunal ruling which found that anxiety constitutes a disability
The tribunal found that an anxiety state constitutes a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010.
Kerry Stares
Charles Russell Speechlys become a Corporate Member of Philanthropy Impact
Charles Russell Speechlys are delighted to become a Corporate Member of Philanthropy Impact.
Sustainable Investing: From ESG Integration to Impact Investing
We have a wide perspective on the range of issues that fall within the spectrum from ESG to impact investing.
Sarah Farrelly
Pro bono partnership between Charles Russell Speechlys and Social Business Trust
Our partnership with Social Business Trust (SBT) is going from strength to strength.
Sarah Higgins
Family team link up with Plymouth CAB
Sarah Rowley
Setting up a charitable foundation and sustainable investment
Heather Maizels and Sarah Rowley discuss aspects of philanthropy, including setting up a charitable foundation and sustainable investments