About Stone KingWe have been ranked by the legal directories as one of the leading national

charity law practices in the country. In particular we have a long established

reputation, developed over many decades, of providing advice to faith

based organisations. We are one of the few national charity law firms

that has a dedicated team focussing in this area. We act for several

hundred charities that are of have direct links with faith organisations.

We have significant experience in the issues that affect faith clients

of all denominations as they seek to fulfil their mission within the sometimes

difficult constraints of civil charity law and regulation. We understand

the need to provide advice and the solutions to legal problems in a way

that is consistent with your mission and the ethos of your faith.

Stone King “demonstrates particular skillacting for faith-based organisations, advisingthem across a broad range of issuesincluding charity law, governance and canonlaw” (Chambers Legal Directory 2014).

We are actively involved in discussing at a national level issues that

are relevant to faith bodies. For example, members of our team are

involved in the religious charities working party of the Charity Law Association,

the Ecclesiastical Law Association and the Association of Church Accountants

and Treasurers. We were a founder of the leading conference for Catholic

charities.

We have been involved at the forefront of recent legal developments

for faith organisations, for example:

� Testing for the first time the extent to which religious organisations

can make religious beliefs and practice a “genuine occupational requirement”;

� Involvement in the leading Supreme Court case relating to the

application of religious qualifications for school admission policies;

� Assisting Catholic adoption agencies in determining whether religious

restrictions can be applied in relation to adoption policies;

� Advising on the leading case regarding the rights of pupils to wear

religious dress, relating to the wearing of a niquab headscarf;

� Working with a national charity seeking to challenge the Charity Commission’s

approach to religion and public benefit, following the removal of the

presumption of public benefit in the advancement of religion;

� Obtaining charitable status for activities of closed religious

communities in the light of changing circumstances and overcoming

long established case law restrictions; and

� Helping to develop constitutional documents that are consistent with

faith organisations’ internal governance principles that are acceptable

to the Charity Commission.

Our approachFaith based organisations often have a long and rich history, in many

cases going back centuries. We look to build long lasting relationships

with our clients to enable us to develop a genuine insight into your faith.

This enables us to provide advice that is consistent with the longer term

changes in your mission as circumstances change.

We appreciate that for faith based organisations reputation and

integrity are core to your mission and objectives. Our significant experience

enables us to provide solutions that not only address the legal issues

in play, but also seek to do so in a practical way that protects both your

reputation and your integrity.

“They grasp very quickly what we need and theydon’t need to be obsessive about certain points.They’re fantastic.” (Chambers Legal Directory 2014)

Faith Organisations

Hugh Pearce, PartnerBath & LondonT: 01225 324406M: 07974 438459E: HughPearce@stoneking.co.uk

Robert Meakin, PartnerCambridge & LondonT: 01223 451341M: 07980 617645E: RobertMeakin@stoneking.co.uk

Tim Rutherford, PartnerBath & LondonT: 01225 326776M: 07580 979376E: TimRutherford@stoneking.co.uk

Michael King, ConsultantBath & LondonT: 01225 324447 & 0207 324 1735M: 07977 517304E: MichaelKing@stoneking.co.uk

Alexandra Whittaker, Senior AssociateBathT: 01225 326767E: AlexandraWhittaker@stoneking.co.uk

Meet The Core Faith TeamOur core team of specialists in advising faith organisations is supported by members of theother departments who are specialists in advising charities in their particular disciplines.

“The team is absolutely brilliant: first-class charity lawyers.” (Chambers Legal Directory 2014)

www.stoneking.co.uk

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