Giving Thought

In episode 65, we chat to John Picton from the Charity Law & Policy Unit at the University of Liverpool about charity law and the ethical and legal challenges surrounding certain kinds of charitable donations. Including:   Charity Law What are some of the key principles of UK charity law? (e.g. public benefit, charitable threshold etc.) The “Dead Hand” & Cy Pres Why have some critics argued that perpetually endowed charitable institutions are problematic? What does legal theory have to say about the balance between respecting donor intent and avoiding “zombie” trusts? What is the practical process for freeing up money from an endowed structure whose purposes are no longer deliverable? How difficult is this? What is the legal status of charitable gifts made in wills? When heirs challenge donations, what issues does it raise? Tainted Donations Why are some donations seen as “tainted”? What is it about them that is “bad”? What powers and responsibilities do charity trustees have when it comes to ass