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Legacy Management Legal Services
We appreciate the challenge facing charities to maximise their income from legacies and manage their level of expenditure on legal services.
Our legacy management legal expertise
Our core legacy management team has in-depth expertise on both the contentious and non contentious aspects of legacy administration and offers a bespoke, flexible service which aligns with the charity’s in-house teams’ own experience and needs. Our team has also worked as legacy officers and we have hands-on experience of the particular challenges faced in this sector.
We ensure that reputational issues are considered at every phase and adjust the tone of correspondence accordingly; ensuring a commercial yet, where necessary, facilitating a softer approach, particularly when dealing with lay executors or where there are disputes. All members of our contentious team are experienced in dealing with alternative dispute resolution.
We are passionate about sharing our knowledge and experience with our clients and have a reputation for delivering informative training sessions and workshops. We recognise how important sharing experiences can be and enjoy facilitating this by providing regular opportunities for our charity clients and contacts to meet and network.
Our legacy managment services include:
Non contentious legacy administration
We advise on all aspects of non-contentious charity legacy issues including:
- Assisting charities with the administration of estates and advising on the most tax efficient ways to deal with assets.
- Advising on the need for and obtaining Section 119 Reports.
- Advising on Deeds of Variations and rectification of Wills.
- Considering ex-gratia payments and the interpretation of Will clauses.
- Advising on the protection of the charity’s interests under Will trusts
- Advising and drafting the wording of legacy literature
Contentious legacy matters
We advise on the full spectrum of disputes which charities may face when dealing with legacies including:
- Challenges regarding the validity of Wills, including where incapacity is an issue
- Claims under the Inheritance (Family and Dependants Act) 1975.
- Proprietary estoppel and constructive resulting trust type claims.
- Dealing with the removal of executors and trustees.
- Applications for inventories and accounts.
- Tracing lifetime transactions where recovery may be required.
Meet our legacy management lawyers
Our thinking
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Liz Gifford, Janine Regan and Courtney Benard write for New Law Journal on an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill which will allow UK charities to send direct marketing emails to supporters without prior opt-in consent
Liz Gifford
In the Press
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Tamasin Perkins and Lydia Kember write for Charity Finance on the collapse of Kids Company
Tamasin Perkins
In the Press
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Data protection in the UK: Charities anticipate green light to rely on direct marketing exemption
Courtney Benard
Quick Reads
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Steven Carey and Amelia Hamilton respond to a reader's question in Construction Management relating to PFI contracts in schools
Steven Carey
In the Press
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The Wealth Net profiles Sarah Rowley, Head of Charities and Philanthropy
Sarah Rowley
In the Press
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How the forewarned ‘hike’ on private school fees is going to bite – a family law and Private Office perspective
Jemimah Fleet
Quick Reads
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Charles Russell Speechlys ‘Client Conversations’ welcomes one of the best strikers of all time and greatest players in Premier League history, Alan Shearer CBE
Simon Ridpath
News
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World renowned theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh unveiled as latest guest on ‘Client Conversations’ podcast from Charles Russell Speechlys
Simon Ridpath
News
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Spotlight on our IT team supporting the Charles Russell Speechlys Foundation charity partners
Debbie Watson
News
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Charities Act 2022: Changes to the rules governing disposal of property
Usman Khan
Insights
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Will Health and Safety reporting and investigation requirements change following Ruth Perry's death?
Rory Partridge
Quick Reads
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Charles Russell Speechlys shortlisted in two categories for The Lawyer Awards 2023
Eddie Richards
News
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The Financial Times quotes Sally Ashford on inheritance tax and devising a property strategy for relatives
Sally Ashford
In the Press
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Charles Russell Speechlys advises the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company on the launch of its Sustainable Bonds on the LSE
Daniel Sullivan
News