News Stories

Charity lawyer joins major national panel
4/06/2008

A leading North West charity lawyer has become one of only two solicitors in England and Wales to be appointed to the Charity Tribunal.

Stephen Claus, a partner at Brabners Chaffe Street LLP and former Charity Commission lawyer, was appointed to the tribunal by the Lord Chancellor following recommendation from the Judicial Appointments Commission.
The tribunal is an independent body set up in 2008 to consider applications for review or appeal of decisions made by the Charity Commission, or to consider references from the Commission or the Attorney General on points of Charity Law. Stephen joins the tribunal alongside four other legal members, seven non-legal members and the tribunal president.
Born in Liverpool, Stephen spent almost 14 years at the Charity Commission, working on a wide variety of charity matters, including a lead role in the high profile 1998 case of Scargill v Charity Commissioners.

He returned to his home city earlier this year, determined to use his expertise in charity administration and governance to help the Charities and Social Enterprise Unit at Brabners Chaffe Street further strengthen its regional and national reputation.

Recognised in Chambers and Partners for his expertise, whilst at the Commission Stephen led the only prosecution to date under the Charities Act 1993 against errant Trustees and since joining private practice has represented national and international charities and established several new charities on behalf of clients.

Stephen also practices ecclesiastical law, and served as deputy registrar for the Diocese of Birmingham. He joins Brabners Chaffe Street from a Midlands firm where he has spent the past two years as head of charity.

Stephen says: “It is a huge privilege to be invited to join such a prestigious body as the Charity Tribunal.

“I hope that I will be able to use my knowledge and experience to good effect and help the tribunal continue its important work as a venue of appeal for anyone who is dissatisfied with a Charity Commission decision.

“I am sure that my clients at Brabners Chaffe Street will reap the benefit of my continued involvement at the forefront of charity law.”


For further information contact Stephen Claus at Brabners Chaffe Street on 0151 600 3000

Back to the news headlines