Free legal advice for start up charity

[Deleted User]

My partner and I are working towards a not for profit project and have the backing of the local council Director :j

We have to decide the legal status of our business - we're not sure if charity, community interest company or private limited company is best for us.

Whilst we've done some research and think that a CIC is best, we'd like to take legal advice. Is this available free (we're in Brighton). Happy to pay, but wanting to check out free first

Thanks to the forum for all the support gleaned from previous posts on all sorts of topics around starting out. Hope my request can help others too... the beauty of social enterprises.

Savvy_Sue

You might be able to get some free advice, I know our charity has benefitted from this a couple of times.

I'd contact your local volunteer bureau (google volunteer brighton to find it) and see if there's a 'pro bono' scheme.

You may have a bit of a wait to arrange it.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the advice. I contacted the local Voluntary Service and they put me in contact with a charities solicitor.

We got a 30 minute pro bono appointment and he liked our idea enough to give us an hour of his time for free :T The information we received was invaluable.

Thanks again for the advice. It's been super and I hope it helps someone else.