October 2009: Size matters says Legal Handbook author

Commenting on the size of the new and comprehensive third edition of the newly launched Voluntary Sector Legal Handbook, James Sinclair Taylor the head of the Charity Team at Russell-Cooke berated the pressure that the steady flow of legislation is placing on charities.

“The new edition has grown to a staggering 1056 pages. The book reflects a substantial increase in complexity and regulation affecting the sector.  Supposed elements of de-regulation in the Charities Act 2006 and Companies Act 2006 have not made life simpler.  They have simply offered more choices and challenges. We are living in an era of legislative incontinence where every new story requires an instant response in the form of a new statute without thought to the cost of implementation.”

Published by the Directory of Social Change, the long awaited third edition of the Russell-Cooke Voluntary Sector Legal Handbook was written by James Sinclair Taylor and the Charity Team at Russell-Cooke and edited by Sandy Adirondack. It was published on October 1st 2009.

Firmly established as the bible of voluntary sector law, the book covers all voluntary sector law in force and looks ahead to future changes that will or might take place. In 65 chapters the book covers:

• The organisation
• Governance
• Employees, workers, volunteers and other staff
• Services and activities
• Funding and fundraising
• Finance
• Property
• Background to the law

The Russell-Cook Voluntary Sector Legal Handbook is available for £60 for non-profit organisations, £90 for others at www.dsc.org.uk/vslh

For more information please contact Richard Lee, Head of Marketing for Directory of Social Change or phone (020 7391 4881).  

Notes to editors

• The Directory of Social Change (DSC) is the leading provider of information and training to the voluntary sector, publishing resources, and hosting conferences and training courses.
• Russell Cooke is a top 100 law firm and has a dedicated specialised charity team who act for over 600 charities and voluntary sector organisations across the UK. Advises some of the largest household names including UNICEF, Action for Blind People and Barnardos.