H3 Solicitors Limited

Helen and her team made the transition of our charity to a CIO much much easier and smoother. Helen and her team are so easy to work with and very very supportive. I would recomend any charity to work with Helen and the team. We all learned so much, I think it has made us a better charity!

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Helen Laurette Harvie

Whilst acting as Project Manager to the charity, Churchill Forge Trust, I commissioned Helen Harvie at H3 Solicitors to help the charity resolve several longstanding issues relating to the appropriation of a heritage asset to a charitable trust so that they could run this as a small visitor attraction. The previous owner had deceased some 50 years earlier, and whilst the family continued to run the site, the executors of the Will had failed to appropriate the asset to a charitable trust who could effectively run the attraction. Instead, the charity trust who operated the site did so without the legal right and also raised funds used to make repairs, again without the powers to do so. In addition, the charity that was operating the site did so under an outdated set of Memorandum and Articles of Association which made little reference to changes in charity law. I needed someone who could offer significant experience in charity law, alongside property law, as well as the personal ability to persuade, and negotiate, with members of the Trust who comprised direct family members and independent volunteer Trustees, many of whom struggled to comprehend fully the legal complexities of the situation. Throughout the lengthy process, Helen Harvie demonstrated a clear understanding of charity law, helping advise the Trustees on changes to the legal governance structure that were required and worked hard to ensure that the appropriation process was completed. At all times throughout the time, she demonstrated the need to protect the charity’s property and worked to ensure that the family and the wider Trustees understood their responsibilities in relation to the charity. For example, initially the owner - a member of the family - demanded that only part of the site was appropriated to the charitable trust as the buildings nearest to her property if used for certain purposes could impact adversely on her privacy. Helen reminded the Trustees of their responsibilities to the charity and suggested a number of ways to try and limit the impact on everyone involved. On another occasion, Helen worked alongside the Trustees to discuss widening the Trustee board to bring in new skills, and also to ensure that the family members could not use undue influence to encourage or prevent activity taking place that they felt would impact indirectly on them as they live adjacent to the site. Again, Helen’s main aim was to safeguard the charity both now and in the future. At all times in her contact and meetings with the Trustees, Helen was clear in her communications, patiently explaining the legal position effectively to those who didn’t necessarily have an extensive legal knowledge or background. She was also decisive in her decision making, explaining clearly the reasons why a certain action was recommended, and had a sense of authority backed up by extensive knowledge that gave the Trustees confidence in following her advice. I would recommend Helen to other charities and if necessary, I would not hesitate to bring her in again to provide legal advice on all aspects of charity law.

I would on behalf of the Trustees and Jan to say 'Thank you'. Personally I would like to thank you for all that you did for the Trust, set aside the fee structure, you were there for me. I recall chatting with you, about a problem, whilst you were travelling, safe of course! Recently how quick you were to agree to be at the end of the phone, just in case, I recall at 5 minutes notice, wow! Your patience and that kind smile and temperament guided us through some difficult times, but you were always with us. Thank you Helen, for being there for us and thank you for being Helen.

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Helen Laurette Harvie

I have found her legal advice to be invaluable and her approach to working with and engaging the wider voluntary and charity sector exemplary. It is sometimes hard for organisations to afford and know how and when to engage solicitors and legal advisers especially those organisations that are smaller and rely wholly or heavily on volunteers. We have instructed Helen to be our main legal adviser as Community First. Her advice on issues including 3 mergers in last 6 years has enabled us to focus on our operational matters and ensures our governance is effective and follows best practice leading to successful outcomes with minimum of fuss.

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Helen Laurette Harvie

I was recommended to Helen Harvie H3 solicitors in August 2017. I was, at that time, Chair of Worthing Scope, a charity working in the Worthing area to support adults and children with complex needs. Helen supported us throughout the whole process and was always available to advise the Board on the many and varied aspects of these negotiations. She attended, and advised at, all meetings with the senior staff of Guild Care and also the many consultation meetings with Worthing Scope members, staff, clients, parents and carers who, quite naturally, had serious concerns about the possible changes. Helen is able to explain complicated legal matters with clarity and our Board were at all times confident that we were being professionally guided through a very difficult period for our charity.

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Helen Laurette Harvie