Legal Support for UK Non-Profit Registration
Establishing a charity in the UK can be a daunting task – especially for small, youth-led initiatives focused on mission-driven work rather than legal formalities. This was the case for RE-PEAT, a grassroots organisation advocating for peatland restoration, wanting to formalise their operations in the UK. We connected them with Latham & Watkins, a global law firm with a longstanding pro bono program.
Restoring Peatlands, Restoring the Climate
RE-PEAT is not your typical environmental organisation. They’re a dynamic, youth-led collective working across Europe to champion peatlands – those vital yet often overlooked ecosystems that act as carbon sinks and biodiversity havens. Their mission is clear: to change hearts and minds for and through peatlands. However, to scale their work and collaborate more effectively within the UK, RE-PEAT needed a formal legal structure. That’s where Pro Publico came in.
The Legal Maze of Incorporating a UK Non-Profit Organisation
Like many emerging nonprofits, RE-PEAT lacked in-house expertise on UK charity and corporate law. They knew they needed to establish a legal entity, but didn’t know which model would be best, or how to go about setting it up. They reached out to Pro Publico, and we did what we do best: connected them with trusted, experienced legal professionals who care deeply about supporting societal causes.
The Pro Bono Provider: Latham & Watkins
A team of Latham & Watkins lawyers stepped up to support RE-PEAT. Latham often provides free legal services to a variety of nonprofit organisations around the world.
The team provided RE-PEAT with structuring advice, including information on various non-profit legal entities such as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Community Interest Company (CIC) and Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG).
“When we had to do a simple legal adjustment on the Dutch foundation articles, it ended up costing us way more than expected. So, to have such high-quality help on such a long and complex process was incredible” commented Frankie Turk, Co-founder of RE-PEAT.
Once RE-PEAT chose to become a CLG, the lawyers got to work. They drafted articles of association, guided internal governance decisions, and filed the registration paperwork with Companies House. “We almost certainly would not be in the position we are currently, had we not received this support,” said Jamie Walker, Community and Strategy Coordinator at RE-PEAT.
From Legal Entity to Legal Empowerment
Thanks to this pro bono collaboration, RE-PEAT is now a fully registered Company Limited by Guarantee in the UK – equipped with the tools and confidence to grow their operations and partnerships. “The support of legal professionals gave us confidence that we were doing the right thing and following the correct processes during this time,” said Jamie Walker. “To have expert advice for free was fantastic.”
The law firm’s team showed great care and understanding throughout the process, adapting to RE-PEAT’s internal timelines and treating them as they would any paying client. “The lawyers quickly understood that we were a small organisation with limited capacity,” noted Jamie Walker. “They were patient, responsive, and professional.”
“We were proud to support RE-PEAT, and so pleased to help the organization as it seeks to scale its efforts,” said Mike Turner, Partner at Latham.
Pro Publico’s Role: Matchmaking That Matters
At Pro Publico, we believe that access to legal support should not be a barrier for grassroots organisations trying to make a difference. This case perfectly illustrates the impact that can be made when top-tier law firms, driven by purpose, support changemakers at the right moment.
Are you an NGO or grassroots initiative needing legal advice to grow your impact? Are you a law firm or consultant ready to share your expertise pro bono?
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Thanks to @Robynn Wiesbauer @Mike Turner @Carolina Gori @Tom O’Malley @Felix Buudee @LathamWatkinsLLP @re_peat_peatlands @BethanyCopsey @ProPublicoEU
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