Saffa Mir

About me

I have a real passion for the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sector. I realised early on that the area of law I would specialise in must include a good amount of client interaction and that’s what makes the education and charity area of law so enjoyable.

We come across such a broad range of clients/organisations it always feels like we are dealing with something new. The work itself is also extremely varied; specialising in charity law means that no two days are ever the same. When instructed on a matter I don’t just focus on the specific instruction, rather, I consider the client/organisation as a whole and what other work could be carried out to put the client/organisation in a better position than they are already in.

My clients span a broad range, from almshouses to museums and churches, from wildlife charities to grant making charities, and from educational charities to benevolent funds. I provide practical help, advice and support in areas including charity law, fundraising, risk management, mergers, strategic planning, registration of charities, trustee training and commercial agreements.

I have a passion for volunteering for charities outside of work and am a trustee of two charities. I also enjoy reading a variety of books and staying active via the gym and playing football. I am particularly interested in issues surrounding tackling injustices and have been an active campaigner and have written about issues around discrimination and racism.

My Awards

The Legal 500

Education Investor Awards 2022 Winner

Top Tips & FAQs

Discover my top tips

Ensure that your governing document is up to date and always referred to when the organisation is making decisions.

When unsure about something seek external help whether that be through legal advice or contacting the Charity Commission.

Make the most of the abundance of guidance that the Charity Commission have available on their website.

Read questions I’m frequently asked

Should we consider incorporation?

Yes, in most circumstances the benefits of incorporating as an entity outweigh the drawbacks. However, as always, it of course depends on the individual circumstances.

Can trustees be remunerated for their role as a trustee?

Trustees can always claim reasonable expenses. Aside from claiming expenses there are some instances when trustees can be remunerated, however there is strict guidelines and rules that govern these situations which must be abided by.

What duties must trustees abide by?

There are many duties that trustees must carry out. One of the main duties of trustees is to ensure that the charity is abiding by their governing document. The Charity Commission have set out the essential role of trustees in their “The essential trustee” CC3 guide.