Charity Clerk Services
Taking the Pressure Off Charity Trustees
Running a charity is demanding. Trustees have responsibility for important decisions, governance and the organisation’s overall direction, while also facing increasing regulatory pressure and administrative demands. Keeping on top of meetings, records, policies and compliance can be difficult, particularly when trustees are volunteers managing these responsibilities alongside their own work and personal commitments.
At Ellis-Fermor & Negus, our Charity Clerk services provide professional legal and administrative support to charity trustees and Boards nationwide. We help take care of the governance work that can otherwise place a significant burden on trustees, giving them greater confidence that the charity’s affairs are being properly managed.
We can provide support before, during and after Board and trustee meetings, including preparing agendas and papers, taking minutes and ensuring important decisions are properly recorded. We can also assist with maintaining appropriate records, reviewing governance arrangements and keeping policies and procedures under review.
Our support is not simply about administration. As a law firm with experience across a wide range of legal matters, we can also provide trustees with access to legal guidance when governance or regulatory questions arise. This means you have someone experienced to turn to when an issue is more complicated or requires careful consideration.
Whether your charity operates locally, regionally or across the UK, our Charity Clerk service can be tailored to the needs of your organisation. By taking some of the governance and administrative pressure away from trustees, we help them spend more time focusing on what matters most: leading the charity, developing its strategy and delivering its charitable objectives.
With Ellis-Fermor & Negus, you have experienced support behind your trustees, helping your charity stay organised, well governed and focused on making a difference.
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‘Ben provided me with excellent advice and dealt with my matter swiftly and efficiently.’
Ben Bourne
Director and Charity Law Solicitor
Who Will Be Supporting You?
Ben Bourne – Director and Solicitor
Ben Bourne is an experienced solicitor who acts as legal clerk to a growing number of charities and advises hundreds of charitable organisations across the UK.
He is a member of the Charity Law Association and has extensive experience advising trustees on governance, compliance, and operational matters.
Clients value Ben’s calm, approachable manner and his reputation for providing clear, trusted advice rooted in a genuine understanding of the charity sector.
Why choose Ellis-Fermor & Negus?
Experienced Charity Clerk support for trustees and Boards
Expertise across local, regional, and national charities
Clear, practical governance and compliance advice
Proportionate, cost-effective service models
A consistent, reliable point of contact
Reviews, what our clients are saying…
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Charity Clerk service is designed for trustees and Boards who want confidence, consistency, and reassurance.
You may benefit from this service if:
- You are a trustee with limited time to manage governance and administration
- Your charity’s legal and regulatory responsibilities are increasing
- You want reassurance that trustee meetings and decisions are properly recorded and compliant
- You are unsure what the charity can or cannot do under charity law
- You want a reliable, knowledgeable point of contact for routine governance questions
- Your charity operates locally but must still meet national regulatory standards
If any of these apply, our Charity Clerk service can provide the support and structure you need.
A Charity Clerk provides ongoing legal, administrative, and organisational support to trustees, helping ensure the charity operates efficiently and in accordance with its governing documents and legal obligations.
Our Charity Clerk services can include:
- Attending trustee and committee meetings (in person or remotely)
- Preparing agendas and supporting effective meeting structure
- Taking accurate, compliant minutes that clearly record decisions and reasoning
- Advising trustees on duties, responsibilities, and governance requirements
- Managing statutory registers and key charity documentation
- Supporting compliance with charity law and regulatory guidance
- Drafting, reviewing, and updating policies and procedures
- Advising on constitutions, trust deeds, and governing documents
- Assisting with employment matters and property-related issues
- Supporting the handling of complaints and internal disputes
- Acting as a consistent, informed point of contact for trustees
Our advice is delivered in plain English, with a focus on being practical, proportionate, and appropriate to the size and complexity of your charity.
We aim to be a trusted and steady presence, working alongside trustees rather than acting as a distant adviser.
1. Initial discussion
We take time to understand your charity’s structure, governance needs, meeting schedule, and current challenges.
2. Tailored support
Our Charity Clerk services are shaped around your organisation—whether you require meeting attendance, governance advice, policy drafting, or ongoing compliance support.
3. Ongoing reassurance
Trustees have access to responsive guidance for both routine and emerging issues, helping maintain confidence and continuity.
We offer cost-effective service packages, tailored to the size of the charity and the level of support required.
Even well-run charities can encounter difficulties without proper governance support. Common risks include:
- Missed compliance obligations under the Charity Acts
- Decisions that are poorly documented or unclear
- Inconsistent governance practices
- Trustees feeling personally exposed or uncertain about their responsibilities
Our Charity Clerk service helps reduce these risks. By managing procedural and governance matters, we help trustees demonstrate transparency, accountability, and sound decision-making—key expectations of regulators, funders, and stakeholders.
Good governance is not about bureaucracy. It supports effective leadership, long-term sustainability, and public trust.
Contact Us
If you are a trustee or board member seeking reliable legal and administrative support, our Charity Clerk services can help your charity operate confidently and compliantly.
• Phone: 0115 922 1591
• Email: [email protected]