Expensive lawyers get results

21feb18

As much as anyone hates expensive lawyers [except those which are of course] Mr William Shawcross seems to be making the point that it is only expensive lawyers that are successful in stopping the Commission…

Well, we say, thank goodness someone does, because someone needs to do that!

His departure speech to the charity sector has moved and inspired us, to respond to some of the things he has said.

Mr Shawcross laments:

“Some big charities are very well funded and don’t hesitate on using expensive law firms to counter and stop the Commission - doing its job properly”.

We say in response:

A lawyer might argue, the lawyers actually stop the Commission from doing its job IMPROPERLY?

Why would law firms stop the Commission from doing its job properly? That surely would be a waste of charities’money and not good for openess, transparency and PR among the public.

The Commission is more than capable, without any assistance, of not doing its job properly which is what this Blog site is seeking to make plain to all.

We only wish that small charities could afford expensive lawyers.

Some charities would feel chuffed if they could afford any kind of lawyer.

Would any lawyer be needed, if the Commission were clearer in their work?

Mr Shawcross laments:

He is “disappointed” in some umbrella bodies, which “see themselves as trades unions for their members, rather than encouraging their members to see that their conduct may sometimes be imperfect” and, “Some attacks on the Commission from leaders of charities and umbrella groups are absurd and counterproductive.”

We say in response:

We say thank heavens for umbrella bodies encouraging the Charity Commission to see that their conduct may sometimes be imperfect?

They provide the healthy alternative and much needed view, don’t they?

Also, in challenge of his views:

NOT as absurd as a leader who cannot accept any criticism of his organisation.

NOT counterproductive when the aim is justice!

Justice that is, as opposed to the law as dealt out by the Commission.

[as in: battering ram used with great force and without discernment]

Some quotes by other people in response to Mr Shawcross’s statement:

Vicky Browning - chief executive of Acevo:

“We believe that good regulation is transparent, fair and enabling, and any interventions that we have with the Commission are aimed at achieving these goals.”

[We would very much like to know where Mr Shawcross stands on this.]

Karl Wilding - director of public policy and volunteering at NCVO:

“I doubt Charity Commission staff will be helped in their work to regulate charities by these comments. We will of course continue to work constructively with the Charity Commission to help charities change for the better. Which is what we all want to see, whatever Mr Shawcross says.”

Trinity

#williamshawcross #CharityCommission #charities #charity #shawcross

William Shawcross, ex-Chair of the Board of the Charity Commission