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Charlotte Cowdell
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Charlotte Cowdell BA (Hons), LLB

Partner

I advise a wide range of charities of different legal structures, providing comprehensive support throughout the charity life cycle, from start-up and registration through to merger or closure. I have extensive experience liaising with the Charity Commission and advising trustees on governance, compliance and best practice.

Alongside my charity law practice, I act for a broad range of clients on all types of commercial property transactions, including the acquisition, development and disposal of freehold and leasehold property. I have particular expertise in advising charity clients on property matters, ensuring transactions are properly structured and documented in accordance with charity law requirements.

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T 01242 542925 E charlotte.cowdell@willans.co.uk
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Key skills

  • Assisting with new charity registrations
  • Guiding existing charities through incorporation
  • Reviewing and updating governing documents to reflect best practice and current legislation
  • Providing governance and constitutional advice to charities and their connected parties (including trading subsidiaries)
  • Advising trustees on their legal duties and responsibilities
  • Advising on donations and grant making
  • Advising in relation to permanent endowment and compliance with the Charities Act on the disposal of charity land
  • Assisting with charity restructures and mergers
  • Advising on charity trading
  • Guiding trustees though the charity closure process.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for various national charities such as Scope, Shelter, Sue Ryder and Victim Support on their property portfolios, from retail and office premises through to industrial/storage and operational
  • Advising a corporate client on its acquisition of new multi-million-pound factory premises and the future development of those premises
  • Assisting various local charities with their incorporation projects, including advising on the transfer of assets and liabilities to the newly incorporated charities
  • Successfully assisting a local charity in responding to concerns raised by the Charity Commission relating to the employment of a former trustee
  • Assisting with the incorporation of Winchcombe Community Arts Hub as a charitable company and its subsequent acquisition of Winchcombe Methodist Church as its headquarters
  • Advising Cheltenham YMCA on the acquisition of various substantial freehold premises in Gloucester to support the charitable company’s housing objectives.

  • "Thanks again for your prompt attention and guidance."
    Client feedback
  • Sector:Charities & not-for-profit organisations

    The Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance

    The Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance supports those with breast cancer, and the BRCA and transgender/non-binary communities, in their healing journey following mastectomy, reconstructive and gender affirming surgery. As well as offering mastectomy and 3D areola-nipple tattoos, Tanya and the MTA provide training to tattoo artists wanting to expand their skillset into medical tattooing.
    mastectomy tattooing alliance Willans
    The Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance
  • The Sober Parrot
    Sector:Charities & not-for-profit organisations

    The Nelson Trust

    The Nelson Trust is a UK charity that brings belief, hope and long-term recovery to people whose lives have been torn apart by addiction. It supports more than 1,200 people each year from all over Britain and beyond, as well as helping local communities across Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset.
    The Nelson Trust
    The Nelson Trust

Charlotte Cowdell BA (Hons), LLB can help you with a range of services

Real estate
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Leases
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Land development
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Sales & acquisitions
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Resources To Help

Articles from Charlotte Cowdell BA (Hons), LLB

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Updating charity constitutions
Charities & not-for-profit organisations

When and why would charities update their governing documents, what is the legal process involved, and when is Charity Commission consent required? Our charity law expert shares her insight in…

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Charlotte Cowdell BA (Hons), LLB
Partner

Is incorporating a charity right for my organisation?
Real estate

The legal form a charity adopts shapes how it is regulated, the extent of trustee liability, and how effectively it can hold assets, enter contracts and deliver its charitable purposes.…

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Charlotte Cowdell BA (Hons), LLB
Partner

SORP 2026: Key changes to lease accounting for charities
Real estate

From 1 January 2026, new rules under the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) will change how leases are reported in charity accounts. These changes aim to make financial reporting…

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Charlotte Cowdell BA (Hons), LLB
Partner
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