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Free Charity Advice Helpline: Russell – Cooke Solicitors

02/02/2026

 

Russell-Cooke Solicitors work in partnership with Voluntary Action Islington (VAI) to provide a free telephone advice helpline for VAI members.

The helpline offers a short call up to 15 minutes per conversation with a legal professional on issues relating to running a charity or social purpose organisation, including:

  • Governance
  • Contracting and collaboration
  • Fundraising
  • Mergers
  • Employment / HR
  • Data protection
  • Safeguarding
  • Leases and property
  • Legal structures and charitable status

How the helpline works:

Hours: 9.30am–5.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)

Call length: Up to 15 minutes

Phone: 020 3826 7534

  • Please state that you are a Voluntary Action Islington member when calling

Email: Charity.NewEnquiries@russell-cooke.co.uk

  • Use the subject line “Voluntary Action Islington helpline” and include a contact phone number
  • All email enquiries will be followed up by telephone

Tip: Prepare your key questions in advance to get the most out of the call

In the first instance, your enquiry may be handled by an executive assistant and then circulated to solicitors within Russell-Cooke’s Charity and Social Business team. A solicitor will contact you directly, usually within 1–3 working days, to discuss your query.

You can find out more about Russell-Cooke’s Charity and Social Business team here

Important information – Terms of Use

Please note the following key points apply to use of the helpline:

  • The helpline provides general assistance only, based on the information you provide during the call
  • It does not provide specific legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for formal legal advice
  • Advice is provided by telephone only; documents cannot be reviewed, drafted, or amended
  • The helpline covers English and Welsh law only and does not include tax or financial matters
  • Use of the helpline must be fair and reasonable, and access may be limited or withdrawn if usage is excessive
  • No solicitor-client relationship is created by using the helpline
  • Neither Voluntary Action Islington nor Russell-Cooke accepts liability for losses arising from use of the helpline, except where liability cannot legally be excluded

The full Terms of Use for the Telephone Helpline are available on request.

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