James Evans

Partner and Solicitor

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

James leads our nationally-recognised team of specialist charity and social enterprise sector lawyers and acts as the key relationship contact for many of our sector clients. James is highly motivated by working with organisations supporting a huge variety of good causes, and all doing fantastic work. He takes pride in helping them achieve their social objectives and to increase the impact of what they do for the communities they serve. Advising sector organisations on a broad range of matters, James can help with the formation of new organisations, getting the right legal structure, governance and constitutional considerations, incorporations, mergers, collaborations and other corporate transactions, charity law compliance and regulatory factors, fundraising and trading challenges, finance and social investment, and commercial agreements. James, who qualified in 1996, is a solicitor and partner, an active member of the Charity Law Association, and a member of the certification panel which adjudicates on awards of the Social Enterprise Mark. He is recognised nationally for the great work he does with charities and social enterprises of all sizes, schools and other educational institutions, clubs, societies and other not-for-private-profit organisations. James is a ranked lawyer for Charities UK-wide in the legal directory Chambers UK 2020, in which Tozers’ charities team is also nationally recognised. The 2020 edition says: "He is always pragmatic in his response to a situation," remarks one client, while another adds that he is "very good at explaining legal jargon in layman's terms." James has also been recognised as a Leading Individual in the 2023 Legal 500 directory, heading the Teir 2 ranked Chairites team, with clients saying that "James Evans has been – and still is – a pleasure to work with. His breadth of knowledge is most reassuring and he has the ability to make everything, however convoluted or complicated, easy to understand". In addition to working with charities and social enterprises, he also helps private sector businesses and private individuals where they are engaging with the charity sector, for example in helping them set up new charities or corporate foundations. Recent examples of work: Advising on the charity merger between the Marine Biological Association and the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation of Ocean Science (CPR survey) Advising the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) on membership and governance arrangements Assisting national charity Libraries Connected (formerly Society of Chief Librarians) in successfully achieving charitable status.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 20873

  • Based in Exeter, Devon
  • Licensed for 29 years

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

James leads our nationally-recognised team of specialist charity and social enterprise sector lawyers and acts as the key relationship contact for many of our sector clients. James is highly motivated by working with organisations supporting a huge variety of good causes, and all doing fantastic work. He takes pride in helping them achieve their social objectives and to increase the impact of what they do for the communities they serve. Advising sector organisations on a broad range of matters, James can help with the formation of new organisations, getting the right legal structure, governance and constitutional considerations, incorporations, mergers, collaborations and other corporate transactions, charity law compliance and regulatory factors, fundraising and trading challenges, finance and social investment, and commercial agreements. James, who qualified in 1996, is a solicitor and partner, an active member of the Charity Law Association, and a member of the certification panel which adjudicates on awards of the Social Enterprise Mark. He is recognised nationally for the great work he does with charities and social enterprises of all sizes, schools and other educational institutions, clubs, societies and other not-for-private-profit organisations. James is a ranked lawyer for Charities UK-wide in the legal directory Chambers UK 2020, in which Tozers’ charities team is also nationally recognised. The 2020 edition says: "He is always pragmatic in his response to a situation," remarks one client, while another adds that he is "very good at explaining legal jargon in layman's terms." James has also been recognised as a Leading Individual in the 2023 Legal 500 directory, heading the Teir 2 ranked Chairites team, with clients saying that "James Evans has been – and still is – a pleasure to work with. His breadth of knowledge is most reassuring and he has the ability to make everything, however convoluted or complicated, easy to understand". In addition to working with charities and social enterprises, he also helps private sector businesses and private individuals where they are engaging with the charity sector, for example in helping them set up new charities or corporate foundations. Recent examples of work: Advising on the charity merger between the Marine Biological Association and the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation of Ocean Science (CPR survey) Advising the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) on membership and governance arrangements Assisting national charity Libraries Connected (formerly Society of Chief Librarians) in successfully achieving charitable status.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 20873

  • Based in Exeter, Devon
  • Licensed for 29 years

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James Evans

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4.9
Excellent
95%+
Value for
Money
95%+
Success
Rate
95%+
Would
Recommend
Communication 5.0/5
Initial Impressions 4.9/5
Approachability 5.0/5
Documentation Accuracy 5.0/5
Legal Knowledge 5.0/5
Value for money 4.8/5
Expertise

Experience

  • Tozers LLP

    SRA-approved manager - Member

    Until Present

Languages spoken

  • English

Opening hours

Monday 08:45–17:00
Tuesday 08:45–17:00
Wednesday 08:45–17:00
Thursday 08:45–17:00
Friday 08:45–17:00
Saturday (Closed)
Sunday (Closed)

Broadwalk House, Southernhay West, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1UA

Reviews

4.9 /5 38 Reviews
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Janet

Verified
Charities

drawing up a new trust document

very helpful and professional. explained what was required to be carried out by myself and fellow trustees

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

We are delighted to hear of the guidance you received from James and we thank you for taking the time to leave this review.

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Paul

Verified
Charities

Sound advice

James advised our Parish Council on setting up a local charity. He provided clear advice and handled the Charity Commission for us. Some wrangling with the CC's approach, but in the end a success for us.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Thank you for taking the time to leave this review Paul. We are glad to hear the end result was successful and hope to work with you again soon.

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Louise

Verified
Charities

Thank you James

Really helpful, swift, excellent and insightful advice.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Thank you Louise! We look forward to working with you again in the future.

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Paul

Verified
Charities

Charity Deed - alteration to provisions

We wanted to make changes to the terms of the Trust Deed. A colleague recommended approaching Mr James Evans of Tozers because of his knowledge and experience of the subject. Their quote was competitive and I was impressed by James Knowledge and ease of communication and had no hesitation in appointing him to act on behalf of the Trustees. The speed of response and action was very impressive - just as we would like it to be - and everything was done to meet the deadlines requested. The documents to enable the changes to be made have been submitted to the Charity Commissioners and we await their approval. Having had a lot of experience of working with solicitors in the past, he has been the best of all! Why can't all solicitors act so quickly and competently. I would certainly use Tozers again and would recommend them to other colleagues in future.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Dear Paul Thank you very much for taking the time to leave such a detailed review. Your kind words will be shared with James and his team. We are really pleased that you had such a good experience and we look forward to working with you in the future.

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Devon Association of Local Councils

Verified
Charities

Great professional service

The service we have received advising our new company about our company articles has been excellent. Responses to queries were prompt, clear expectations were set regarding costs up front, and we were provided clear and practical advice which will assist us in the long term.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Thank you very much for taking the team to write this review. We are glad we could help you and your new company. Many thanks James Evans

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Other Reviews

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Giuseppe

Company & Commercial

Other

I was specifically directed to this firm by an AI recommendation for experts in establishing Community Interest Companies, and the advice proved to be entirely accurate. James Evans was extremely prompt, kind, and accommodating, and I was deeply impressed by his expertise and how the drafted articles perfectly reflected our vision and prior discussions.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

We are truly grateful for your thoughtful feedback and delighted to hear that your experience with the firm met your expectations. Thank you again for your recommendation and for placing your trust in our firm — we wish you every success and look forward to assisting you again in the future.

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Antony Penrose

Charities

Wills, Trusts and Probate

Really excellent top quality service. James led us through the difficult process of setting up a complicated charitable trust in a way that was understandable. He guided us carefully and prepared the questionnaire so it reflected our ambitions. He met a seemingly impossible deadline with more than a week to spare. At all times he was approachable and clear sighted. In short he was the ideal person to help us create this trust.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that James provided such a high standard of service while guiding you through the complexities of establishing your charitable trust. His ability to communicate clearly, understand your ambitions, and meet challenging deadlines is something we value greatly. We truly appreciate your kind words.

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Belinda Dillon

Charities

Other

From start to finish, my experience with Tozers was exemplary. James was accommodating and flexible, and absolutely knew what was required. Fantastic service.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted you had an exemplary experience with Tozers, and James will be pleased to know his support made a difference. We're always here if you need anything further.

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Mandy

Commercial Property

Other

Excellent service and prompt reply to questions.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Thank you for your review. We’re pleased to hear you received excellent service and found our responses prompt.

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Anonymous

Charities

Other

We chose Tozers for their expertise in the Charitable area and because they were local. We were not disappointed with the service we received from James Evans, Our needs were understood and dealt with efficiently and the outcome was within the timescale stated. All parties involved were kept up to date at all times involving a subject we had little knowledge of. Excellent service.

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A representative from Tozers LLP responded to this review

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We're pleased to hear that James provided efficient and knowledgeable support throughout, keeping everyone informed and delivering within the expected timescale. We're glad we could assist you with your charitable matter.

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