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Giving in a changing landscape - fund or foundation?
Changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax are encouraging more people to rethink how they structure their charitable giving
Charities across Scotland and south of the border look to Helen for her deep knowledge of their sector and her problem-solving approach
Helen Kidd is a Partner and heads our Charities and Third Sector team.
Accredited as a specialist in charity law by the Law Society of Scotland, Helen has spent over ten years specialising in charity and third sector legal issues. She is ranked in both the Chambers UK Legal Guide and the Legal 500, and our Charities and Third Sector team has gained a Tier 1 ranking in the Legal 500 under her leadership.
Her wide experience includes setting up, merging, and winding up charities; advising on governance, charity tax, and trading activities; grant giving; trustee training; and dealing with a wide range of regulatory matters related to OSCR, HMRC, the Care Inspectorate, and the Financial Conduct Authority.
In addition to supporting charities on issues relating to fundraising, donations, trusts, and endowments, Helen uses her experience in private client legal work to advise individuals and families on lifetime philanthropy and legacies/bequests.
Helen is a member of the Charity Law Association and an affiliate member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
As well as advising charities and their trustees, Helen has been a trustee herself, with experience on the board of a national community-based youth work organisation and as a governor of an independent school.
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Highlights
- Advising on governance and regulatory aspects of the reorganisation of a group of dual-registered, grant-giving trusts.
- Advising a large multi-regulated care home charity on a group restructure.
- Establishing a human rights law centre.
- Helping philanthropic individuals to realise their charitable aims and ambitions.
- Advising English charities and their advisors on Scottish charity law.
Recognition
Meet the team
We help charities and not-for-profits stay well run and well protected. From governance and constitutional changes to funding, collaborations and restructures, we give practical advice that supports your purpose.
Who we help
We work with charities, social enterprises, voluntary organisations and the people who lead them, including trustees, senior teams and boards. If you’re balancing impact with increasing scrutiny and tighter budgets, we’ll help you move forward with confidence.
Insights from Helen
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Why successful community ownership depends on planning beyond the purchase
Community groups using Right to Buy must prioritise long-term financial planning and governance.
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Do we value our trustees enough?
Charity trustees are the essential backbone of Scotland's 25,000 charities. Investing in their training and mentoring ensures strong governance and protects the charity's future.
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Scotland’s ‘surprise’ philanthropists
Helen Kidd considers how philanthropy is often mistaken as the preserve of the wealthy, yet it’s truly open to anyone with the desire to give
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Charity governance: Is it time to undergo a healthcheck?
To maintain your charity's reputation these days relies on trustees, chairs and chief executives being aware of the risks and ensuring good governance…
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Is your board match-fit for change?
New rules for charities came into force this summer, affecting the publication of their annual accounts, the information they gather about trustees, and the criteria for automatic disqualification of trustees.
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Merging to survive: Major changes for charities as cash crisis deepens
Rising operational costs and dwindling funding are pushing more Scottish charities to consider mergers as a vital strategy for survival
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Food for thought - the pitfalls of improvised Wills for families and charities
In the latest issue of Lindsays Life, Partners Helen Kidd and Lynsey Kerr highlight the pitfalls of an improvised Will and the consequences for families and…
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Is your charity thinking of merging?
Charity mergers are often a response to financial pressure. New protections, like the OSCR Record of Mergers, safeguard legacy income, while joint ventures offer a less permanent alternative.
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The taxing issue with charities and trading
Helen Kidd highlights the risks charities face when trading outside their core purposes, warning they could face unexpected tax bills or regulatory challenges
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Could a CEO on the board strengthen your charity?
Helen Kidd looks at why including paid executives on boards could strengthen decision-making, rethinking traditional charity governance models
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What’s the best gift for charity trustees this Christmas? More support
Charities are encouraged to use governance health checks and trustee training to build strong internal processes during challenging economic times.
Our people
At your side to provide peace of mind, our people are here to listen and advise in the moments that matter most.
Meet our peopleCharities and the third sector
Our team is here to help you take your cause further with practical, experienced legal advice.
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At Lindsays, we believe great legal representation starts with real connections. That’s why we put people first in everything we do – working with you, not just for you.
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