Stratford-upon-Avon based solicitors Lodders will be expanding their Private Client work to form a new department dedicated to the provision of legal Services for charities.

Heading up the new initiative is Ruth Shipman. She will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Charity Law Department in conjunction with Martin Green, the partner heading the Lodder's Private Client department.

Ruth has been a solicitor for nearly 20 years and is a member of The Charity Law Association and Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

The department will give advice on a variety of charity matters, including the formation of new charities, the role and responsibilities of trustees and the amending or updating of charity constitutions.

Ruth said:

"The voluntary sector is growing at an amazingly fast pace and charitable organisations require increasingly specialist legal advice.

"It is a very exciting area to be involved with and is very diverse, ranging from. individuals who wish to set up charities to benefit others in their lifetime, to larger charities facing problems with properties, trading, employees, and other related matters.

"It is a new venture for Lodders, but one that cannot afford to be ignored. After all, charities represent one of the largest sectors of our economy.

"There have been radical changes in the charity sector over the last 10 years, especially with the introduction of the Charities Acts of 1992 and 1993. The introduction of the National Lottery in 1994 has also had a major impact on the voluntary sector", added Ruth.

The new department can also draw on the experienced Lodder's team in relation to commercial and property matters, employment issues and litigation problems.

Martin said:

"Lodders is ideally suited to offer this service to any new or existing clients. As one of South Warwickshire's leading legal practices we have all the expertise to offer a complete professional package."