This guide explores the typical legal structures that are used in the social enterprise sector, the core advantages and disadvantages of the respective structures, and the key issues for consideration when deciding on the right legal structure for your organisation.
This is a short guide to the legal structures most commonly associated with charities and social enterprise.
This resource shares a quick overview of different legal structures to consider when you are starting up a social enterprise, charity, or another type of project whose purpose is social or environmental impact
When setting up your social enterprise it is important to have the right legal structure.
From this flowchart, comparison table and detailed guidance you will be able to assess which is the right legal structure
for your social enterprise.
This guide introduces the different structures available to a social enterprise and includes a table which summarises the key points of each.
Having the right legal and governance structure for your charity, or social enterprise, is vital to help ensure the organisation functions effectively and delivers social impact.
Bates Wells is a truly purpose-driven law firm and the first UK law firm to be a B Corp, which means we consider the impact of our decisions on our people, clients, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Purposely is for founders who are using or considering the company limited by shares legal structure and who want to embed their purpose. This tool guides you through the steps necessary to create your company articles, and embed purpose into the DNA of your business.
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills share a guide on legal forms specifically for social enterprises (2011).
The Thomson Reuters Foundation has partnered with Morrison & Foerster and UnLtd to produce an update to our guide on legal structures for social ventures in England and Wales.
This guide aims to help you from the initial contact with your community, to the moment you cut the ribbon.