NFP Lawyers For Charity Disputes & Investigations
- Expert legal advice for charity disputes and NFP litigation.
- Guidance on regulatory reviews and ACNC investigations.
- Strategic resolution for internal, board, and member disputes.
- Protecting your organisation's reputation and mission.
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Our Services
Our NFP Dispute Resolution & Investigation Services
LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants offers a complete suite of legal services to help your not-for-profit or charity manage and resolve disputes. Our experienced charity dispute lawyers provide strategic advice and representation to protect your organisation, its reputation, and its mission.
1
Internal and Governance Dispute Resolution
We provide expert legal guidance on resolving internal disputes within your NFP. This includes managing conflicts between members, grievances involving the board or committee, and advising on disciplinary procedures and removal of members.
2
External and Commercial Dispute Management
Our lawyers handle external disputes between your organisation and third parties. We provide representation in matters involving contract and service disputes, negligence claims, and other commercial litigation to protect your organisation’s interests.
3
Regulatory Reviews and Investigations
We assist charities and NFPs in responding to regulatory and administrative disputes. Our team has extensive experience working with regulatory authorities like the ACNC, providing representation and strategic advice during reviews and investigations.
4
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
We specialise in using mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods to resolve conflicts efficiently. Our focus is on achieving a commercial and pragmatic settlement, protecting key relationships and avoiding the cost and stress of court proceedings where possible.
What Our Clients Say
Our clients trust LawBridge to provide clear, reliable & practical legal support.
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Our Tailored Approach to NFP Dispute Resolution
Our approach is centred on delivering pragmatic legal solutions that help your not-for-profit resolve conflict effectively, manage regulatory scrutiny, and protect the relationships and reputation vital to your mission.
Understanding the Core Conflict
We begin by gaining a thorough understanding of the dispute’s context, whether it’s an internal governance issue, a commercial disagreement, or a regulatory inquiry. This foundational step allows us to provide tailored legal advice that addresses the core of the problem and aligns with your organisation’s best interests.
Developing a Strategic Resolution Pathway
Our approach focuses on creating a clear, strategic pathway to resolve the dispute. We assess all options, from mediation and negotiation to formal litigation, and develop a strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome in the most cost-effective and timely manner.
Effective Implementation and Representation
We assist with the hands-on implementation of the resolution strategy. Our support includes preparing strong legal arguments, representing your organisation in negotiations or before tribunals, and managing all communications to protect your interests and reputation throughout the process.
Why Choose LawBridge as Your Charity Dispute Lawyer
Choosing the right legal partner is essential for navigating disputes and protecting your organisation’s reputation. LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants provides expert, tailored support to help charities and NFPs resolve conflict with confidence.
Experienced NFP Dispute Lawyers
Our team brings extensive legal expertise to the unique disputes faced by the not-for-profit sector. We provide strategic advice and representation across internal governance conflicts, commercial litigation, and regulatory reviews.
Deep Understanding of the NFP Context
LawBridge Lawyers & Consultants understands the sensitivity of handling claims in the NFP sector. We provide practical legal advice that is aligned with your mission, aiming to resolve disputes effectively while protecting your organisation’s relationships and public standing.
Client-Focused and Pragmatic Resolution
We work closely with our NFP clients to develop strategic approaches to resolving disputes. Our solutions are clear and commercially aware, with a focus on using mediation and negotiation to achieve a pragmatic settlement and avoid costly litigation where possible.
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Team
Meet Our Dedicated NFP & Charity Law Team
The LawBridge team includes dedicated not-for-profit lawyers focused on providing exceptional legal support to charities and not-for-profit organisations. We understand the unique operational environment and legal complexities faced by the NFP sector.
Adam Jacobs
Partner & Co-Founder
Ramia Abdo Sultan
Partner & Co-Founder
Mohamad Kammoun
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Comprehensive Not-for-Profit & Charity Law Services
LawBridge offers a comprehensive suite of legal services tailored to the specific needs of the not-for-profit (NFP) and charity sector.
NFP Governance & ACNC Compliance
Strengthen governance and meet ACNC requirements with legal advice on board duties, reporting, and regulatory obligations.
NFP Employment & Workplace
Navigate employment law confidently with guidance on hiring, contracts, workplace policies, disputes, and regulatory compliance.
Government Funding Agreements for NFPs
Understand and manage government funding contracts with legal support for obligations, compliance, and risk mitigation.
NFP Tax Concessions & DGR
Clear guidance on securing tax concessions and DGR status, with support for eligibility, applications, and compliance.
Charity Fundraising, Donations & Sponsors
Ensure your fundraising activities meet legal standards with advice on compliance, donor agreements, and fundraising regulations.
NFP & Charity Set-Up
Start strong with legal guidance on structure, registration, charitable status, and long-term compliance planning.
Charity Disputes & ACNC Investigations
Resolve internal and external disputes and respond to investigations with expert legal support tailored to charitable organisations.
NFP Mergers, Corporate Restructuring & Collaborations
Strategic legal advice for mergers, restructures, and partnerships that align with your mission and regulatory obligations.
NFP Intellectual Property
Protect your brand, content, and innovations with legal advice on trademarks, copyright, licensing, and IP strategy.
Property Lawyers for NFPs
Expert legal support for leasing, acquiring, and managing property assets aligned with your charitable objectives.
Charitable Trust & Foundations
Expert support for establishing and managing trusts and foundations, ensuring compliance, governance, and long-term charitable impact.
Social Enterprise for NFPs
Build sustainable impact with legal advice on hybrid models, income generation, governance, and regulatory compliance.
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Navigating Internal Disputes in Your NFP Organisation
Disputes within a not-for-profit organisation—between members, the board, or management—can disrupt operations and hinder your mission. These internal conflicts often relate to governance issues, the use of funds, or disagreements over strategic direction, and must be handled effectively.
Your organisation’s constitution should outline a grievance procedure. Following this process correctly is a key legal step. Our charity dispute lawyers provide legal advice on managing these sensitive internal matters, from disciplinary procedures to resolving board conflicts.
Legal Help for External and Commercial Disputes
Not-for-profits and charities regularly engage with external parties, leading to potential NFP litigation over contracts, service agreements, or negligence claims. These disputes can be costly and divert resources from your core purpose.
A strategic approach is essential to protect your organisation. We provide the expert legal support to manage these commercial disputes, whether through negotiation, mediation, or, if necessary, formal court proceedings, always aiming for a pragmatic and effective resolution.
Responding to ACNC Investigation Lawyers
Facing a review or investigation by a regulator like the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) can be a daunting experience. These inquiries often arise from public complaints or concerns about compliance and require a careful, timely, and transparent response.
Failing to manage a regulatory investigation properly can pose a significant risk to your charity’s registration and reputation. As experienced ACNC investigation lawyers, we provide the legal service to guide you through the process, manage communications, and protect your organisation’s standing.
Using Mediation to Resolve Charity Disputes
For many disputes in the not-for-profit sector, mediation offers a more cost-effective and collaborative alternative to court. This process involves a neutral third party helping the conflicting parties negotiate and reach a mutually agreeable settlement.
Mediation can be particularly effective for resolving internal governance or membership disputes, as it helps preserve important relationships. As your trusted legal partner, we can represent you in mediations, developing a strategic approach to achieve a favourable outcome for your charity.
Insights
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Frequently Asked Questions About NFP Disputes & Investigations
LawBridge supports not-for-profits with clear dispute resolution guidance. Explore answers to common questions about charity conflicts, legal claims, and regulatory investigations.
What are the most common types of NFP disputes?
Disputes can be internal (e.g., between board members, or with general members over governance) or external (e.g., with service providers over contracts, or negligence claims). Regulatory investigations are another key area.
Our NFP has a dispute with a member. What should we do first?
You should first consult your organisation’s constitution or rules, which must contain a procedure for handling member grievances. Following this internal process correctly is a critical first legal step.
What is mediation and is it useful for charities?
Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps resolve a dispute without going to court. It is often a more informal, cost-effective, and quicker way to resolve conflicts, and is particularly useful for preserving relationships in internal NFP disputes.
Can a member be removed or disciplined by our organisation?
Yes, if a member is acting inappropriately, your organisation’s rules may allow for disciplinary action, such as suspension or removal. However, a strict and fair process must be followed to avoid legal challenges.
When should our NFP seek legal advice about a dispute?
You should seek legal advice as soon as a dispute arises, especially if it involves significant risks, complex legal issues, or if your organisation is being threatened with or taken to court. Tight timeframes often apply.
What is a regulatory investigation for a charity?
A regulatory investigation is an inquiry by a government body, most commonly the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), into your organisation’s compliance with its legal obligations.
What can trigger an ACNC investigation?
An ACNC investigation can be triggered by various factors, including complaints from the public, members, or former employees, or if the ACNC identifies potential non-compliance from your annual reporting.
What are our organisation's obligations during an investigation?
During an investigation, your organisation is expected to cooperate fully with the regulator, provide requested information and documents, and respond to any concerns raised in a timely and transparent manner.
What is the difference between an internal and external dispute?
An internal dispute occurs within your organisation, such as between board and members. An external dispute is with an outside party, like a landlord, service provider, or a client who believes they have suffered a loss.
Why do we need a specialist lawyer for NFP disputes?
A specialist lawyer understands the unique legal and reputational risks NFPs face. We can provide a strategic approach to resolve the dispute, whether through mediation or court, while protecting your organisation’s mission, relationships, and public standing.
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Practice Areas