Introduction
“We hugely enjoy working with Managing Trustees and our objective is to provide them with excellent legal services in order to assist them achieve their missional objectives and discharge their duties. Working closely in conjunction with TMCP, our experience enables us to provide an exceptional streamlined service. Sintons has decades of experience advising Managing Trustees and we are delighted that we have the opportunity to continue this work via our Panel Appointment. We pride ourselves on our personal, approachable service.
We understand the opportunities and also the challenges faced by Managing Trustees and we endeavour to provide them with not only expert advice but where possible pragmatic solutions, - mindful of the requirements of Methodist and Charity Law. As Methodist Church Panel solicitors, we offer our services at specifically agreed discounted rates, representing excellent value for money.
Sintons are a full-service law firm established in the 1890’s in Newcastle, acting for clients across the length and breadth of the country and specialising in charity and ecclesiastical law. The niche, expert advice that we provide to Managing Trustees is firmly underpinned by our work for other faith based institutions and charitable bodies. We offer excellent, bespoke support through our dedicated Methodist Team of solicitors and look forward to working with more Managing Trustees in the coming months.”
We invite you to read some comments made by Managing Trustees about our services:
- “Sintons have an excellent grasp of the Methodist Church’s workings, its legal requirements and have an exemplary record of being ‘on the ball’. We will always use Sintons; we have an outstanding working relationship with Sintons who endeavour to ensure that all of the transactions are dealt with in a timely and correct manner. We are always consulted and the communication is excellent with them.”
- “We engaged Sintons to support us with a series of Manse purchases and sales as part of the implementation of the Circuit’s Manse Strategy. Because we have been so pleased with Sintons work on this, we have straightforwardly used them for Church sales too. We would have every intention of carrying on doing so.”
- “I should like to thank you for all the work you have undertaken, and the support given, to complete the sale. Obviously, the sale process was not as straightforward as we might have hoped, but we always knew that you were working diligently on our behalf; we are most grateful.”
How Sintons Can Help Managing Trustees
- As long experienced Panel Members, Managing Trustees of Local Churches, Circuits, and District can rest assured that Sintons have the expertise and breadth and depth of experience to assist with whatever is required and that we understand applicable policies and procedures.
- We work closely with TMCP and your surveyors and professional team and can anticipate requirements and apply streamlining policies and procedures.
- We attend national District Property Secretaries and Superintendents' conferences, the annual Conference and other forums. We speak with Managing Trustees nationally on a day-to-day basis.
- We are a full-service Law Firm and whatever specialism you require we can endeavour to assist. Full details are on our website and in our brochure but, briefly, they include property transactions (for example church sales and manse purchases and sales), development work, ecumenical work, Charity law and governance, employment issues, safeguarding issues, construction law, litigation, specialist trust / bequest work, wills, reputational matters, grants and funding.
- We build up excellent working relationships with our Managing Trustees and much of our work is repeat business or through personal recommendation.
- Our Dedicated Team prides itself on the firm bonds that are forged with Managing Trustees and our approachable, personal service.
- As added value, we offer free training through seminars, webinars, online legal clinics, and personal visits to Managing Trustees, often liaising with District Property Secretaries to ensure that we are providing support on the particular needs of that local Church, Circuit or District. We attend annual conferences and work with TMCP to ensure that we remain up to date with Methodist practices and procedures and at the forefront of change.
- Our ecumenical expertise, spearheaded by Laura Peace, head of the Methodist Church Team and Diocesan Registrar for the Church of England Dioceses of Carlisle and Newcastle, provides outstanding support for the ecumenical issues which present to modern day Managing Trustees. For further details of the range of our ecumenical work and the other Faith Based Institutions who we work with please refer to the links to our website and brochure.
- Our discounted fee rates for Methodist Church Managing Trustees represent excellent value for a first class service. We also offer 30 minutes free advice at the potential beginning of a new instruction.
- We invest in our staff and advanced technology enabling us to deliver an expert, responsive service, ensuring that transactions proceed promptly and that we deliver good outcomes as quickly as possible.
If you wish to discuss any of the above or to refer a new matter, please contact Partner Laura Peace on 0191 226 7832 or email her at laura.peace@sintons.co.uk
Offices and Your Dedicated Team at Sintons
We are based at our Newcastle office, however we work nationally, adopting cutting edge technology (including conference calls and video conferencing) and, when required we consult from our York, Leeds and London offices and we are always happy to consider bespoke personal visits by members of our team.
Our office details can be found here :-
Sintons LLP
The Cube
Barrack Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 6DB
DX: 715139 Newcastle upon Tyne 19
 | Laura Peace Methodist Client Liaison Partner Tel: 0191 226 7832 laura.peace@sintons.co.uk |  | Sue Hennessey |
 | Joanne Russell Associate Tel: 0191 226 7841 joanne.russell@sintons.co.uk |
For details of the other specialist lawyers in our full-service firm who will advise on wider issues please see our website and brochure.
If you have any queries in relation to the Panel of solicitors please contact TMCP Legal for further assistance.