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Lisa is located at:

Southampton Office
Mountbatten House
Grosvenor Square
Southampton
SO15 2JU

Testimonials

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Lisa is very responsive. She is a good listener, able to provide clear guidance.Close quote
Charities respondent UK
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Lisa has been a really great support. She is an attentive listener, very focused and quick to understand what we needed to progressClose quote
Charities respondent UK
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We needed legal advice because we were in a very uncomfortable position of knowing that, on the one hand, our Charity was promoting an extremely valuable service, while on the other hand, due to the present-day regulatory criteria, it was unable to “tick all the boxes”. Lisa guided us through all of this over the course of about a year, and was kind, helpful and professional. After the charity was wound up, she very generously gave us invaluable advice even though not knowing if she would be paid for it. We cannot thank her enough for that alone. We would highly recommend her.Close quote
Former Trustees
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Lester Aldridge LLP handles matters concerning registration, charitable status, governance, constitutions and regulatory issues. The practice is led by Lisa Watson-Cook who joined the practice in April 2021 from RSPCA Legal Services. Her expertise lies primarily in charity governance and regulation matters and is also a member of the Charity Law Association.Close quote
Charities & Not-for-profit
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Lisa Watson-Cook has proven very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and finally very personable.Close quote
Client testimonial
Open Quote
Lisa Watson-Cook is very approachable, straightforward, friendly and very good at explaining the more legal terminology when needed.Close quote
Client testimonial

Whether you work for a charity, social enterprise, voluntary organisation or association, Lisa can advise you on all aspects of charity law.

Lisa’s background is as in-house counsel for a ‘top ten’ charity. In addition to providing a broad range of legal, regulatory and constitutional advice to the national umbrella body, she was responsible for the charity’s constituent parts, namely 150 separately registered branches, affiliated trusts, grant-making charities and non-charitable subsidiaries. This role has given her unique insight, versatility and knowledge of the charity sector.

Understanding your organisation’s operating model as well as the wider regulatory environment means she can provide simple, pragmatic and tailored advice. Lisa’s aim is to support trustees and charity professionals to advance their strategic objectives with minimal risk.

Lisa’s particular experience lies with federated or branch structures, membership bodies, animal charities, trading subsidiaries, governance reform and supporting charities with a range of compliance issues, including fundraising and data protection.

Recent work

  • Establishment, merger and dissolution of charities, trusts and non-charitable subsidiaries
  • Liaising with Charity Commission on registration, trust alterations, compliance and Serious Incidents
  • Preparing contracts, standard terms and charity policies
  • Representing charities in relation to third parties including collaborations, partnerships, claims and complaints
  • Drafting board resolutions, delegations and general governance support including training on trustee duties and responsibilities.

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