Web site plugs into sweet charity

Three London law firms will this week help launch a Web service geared towards providing on-line professional and business support to cash-strapped charities on a pro bono basis.

The CharitySkills.org portal will benefit from Bircham Dyson Bell's guidance on charities law, Bird & Bird's IT and intellectual property expertise, and Nicholson Graham & Jones's advice on property issues.

The firms will provide advice clinics, seminars and training, guidance and sample legal documents.

The site - which goes live this week - will be run by CharitySkills, an organisation set up to help professionals roll out support to charities which are not their own clients.

The service will also feature advice on other issues, including management, insurance and fund raising.

Lorna Brazell, an intellectual property partner at Bird & Bird, said the firm got involved partly to combat a 'me, me, me' culture that can develop among City solicitors.

'In a big commercial firm it is sometimes difficult to keep in touch with grass-roots activities, so it is important to look at how you can help organisations that do not share our privileged environment,' she said.

Paul Voller, a company and commercial partner at Bircham, said it was pleased to help charities out, but also hoped to pick up a few clients along the way: 'It is an opportunity for us to spread our knowledge, skills and expertise, but we are also hoping it will extend our reputation in this area.'

Nicholson Graham & Jones property partner Piers Coleman said: 'We welcome the opportunity to provide support to the many trustees, volunteers and charitable organisations that are so important in the life of the country.'

CharitySkills co-founder Meirion Harries said he would welcome support from more firms as charities are subject to as many legal requirements as commercial organisations, but without the same resources.

Paula Rohan