Law firm
Contact details
Chris Hook
Partner, Charities team
Time Central, 32 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4BF
T: 0191 211 7801
E: chris.hook@muckle-llp.com
W: www.muckle-llp.com
Regions covered: Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, Cumbria, Teesside, North Yorkshire
Profile summary: Muckle LLP is a full-service law firm based in Newcastle upon Tyne and Penrith, guided by our values as a certified B-Corp.
Our specialist Charities team understands that almshouse charities are complex organisations – often with historic governing documents, property and investment portfolios, and assets held as permanent endowment or restricted funds – navigating regulations while supporting their older and often vulnerable residents.
We provide a range of legal services to almshouse charities including:
- Governance advice and trustees’ duties
- Conversions to become a CIO
- Mergers and collaborations
- Expending or borrowing from permanent endowment
- Amending governing documents
- Applying to the Charity Commission for cy-pres schemes and orders
- Liaison with the Charity Commission and reporting serious incidents
- Sale and purchase of property and investments
- Disputes and anti-social behaviour
- Construction projects
- Banking and grant funding arrangements
- Social housing regulation
Almshouse charities previously worked with
Tyne Mariners’ Benevolent Institution, Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association, Hospitaller Order of Saint John, Hospital of King James in Gateshead.