Trustee with legal expertise

Welwyn Hatfield Community And Voluntary Services Limited; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - GBP 125,000; Part time

Job summary

A local charity organization is seeking a Trustee with legal expertise to enhance its governance and strategic leadership. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in commercial and charity law, with excellent communication skills to guide the charity in compliance with relevant laws. This voluntary, unpaid role requires a commitment to quarterly meetings, along with contributions to board strategies and legal oversight. The application deadline is 5pm on Friday, 13 February 2026.

Benefits

Professional recognition

Networking opportunities

Career development training

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to the charity's mission.
• Significant legal expertise to support legal matters.
• Experience in charity law and governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Participate in Board meetings providing strategic advice.
• Ensure compliance with charity and company law.
• Contribute to organizational strategies and decisions.

Skills

Legal expertise

Strategic thinking

Strong communication skills

Governance and risk management knowledge

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

Overview

Before you can register your interest for this opportunity you must be registered as a volunteer. Register with the Volunteer Centre, or if you have already registered, please log in. We are looking for Trustee applicants with strong knowledge of commercial law, governance and risk management and preferably experience in charity law who can balance strategic thinking with attention to detail. If you are a confident communicator with extensive legal experience and a desire to use those skills to support a local charity, we’d love to hear from you.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford

Start Date: 14/01/2026
End Date: 13/02/2026

Location: From your office

Time of day: To Be Discussed

Practical Considerations: Our 2 main patient buildings are accessible to wheelchair users. We are very happy to talk about any reasonable adjustments we can make to facilitate this role.

Requirements: Relevant qualification or training, Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Suitable for: 18 – 25 year olds, Aged 26 and over, Older People, People with a visual impairment, People with restricted mobility

Suitable for volunteers interested in: End of Life, Bereavement & Hospices, Trusteeship & Governance

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: Yes

Full Description

Job Description: Trustee with Legal Expertise

The Trustee will contribute to the effective governance and strategic leadership of the organisation, ensuring compliance with charity and company law and requires active collaboration with senior leadership, board committees and a broad range of stakeholders.

Candidates must demonstrate deep commitment to the charity’s mission and significant legal expertise to support with legal matters and help manage risk.

Key responsibilities

• Governance and strategic leadership: Actively participate in Board meetings and relevant Board committee meetings (e.g. Governance), providing objective advice on strategic direction, performance and resources.
• Work with the Chair, Chief Executive and other trustees to ensure the charity maintains the highest standards of governance, complies with all relevant laws and regulations and delivers on its mission.
• Contribute to the development, scrutiny and approval of organisational strategies, major projects and investment decisions, ensuring alignment with long-term goals.
• Champion the charity’s values, diversity and inclusion and ethical standards at all times.

Legal oversight and stewardship

• Support the organisation in complying with its governing documents, charity law, and other relevant legislation.
• Safeguard the organisation’s assets and ensure they are applied exclusively for charitable purposes.
• Support the Board in understanding legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities.
• Contribute to setting and reviewing the organisation’s strategic direction.
• Monitor performance and ensure accountability across all areas of operation.
• Ensure financial stability and integrity, approving budgets and monitoring expenditure.
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, promoting its mission and values.

Person specification

• Qualified solicitor or barrister or significant experience in legal practice
• Strong understanding of charity law, company law, compliance and governance frameworks
• Commitment to the organisation’s values and objectives
• Experience and understanding of the role of Company Secretary
• Experience at senior leadership level
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Strategic thinker, capable of balancing detail with the bigger picture, and exercising sound independent judgement
• Deep commitment to the mission, vision and values of the charity, including principles of equality, diversity and inclusion

Time commitment

This appointment requires a commitment to Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care to attend quarterly early evening meetings of the Board of Trustees and serve on at least one Board committee (Governance Committee), with additional meetings as required.

In addition to attending meetings, trustees will need to make time to read and evaluate papers. All our trustees are encouraged to actively participate and engage in external events and networking to represent and promote the charity, where requested.

Appointments are usually for a term of three years with the possibility of two further three-year extensions by mutual agreement up to a maximum term of nine years.

Remuneration

This is a voluntary, unpaid trustee role. Reasonable expenses incurred in the course of duties will be reimbursed in line with the charity’s policy.

The benefits of joining our Board of Trustees include:

• Professional recognition
• Networking opportunities with fellow trustees as well as access to forums and communities of likeminded trustees at other organisations.
• Training and support to get the best out of the role.
• Career development: Diversify your experience and demonstrate leadership, governance expertise and commitment to public service.

Application process

Please submit a covering letter outlining how your skills and experience would contribute to Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care in your role as Trustee, together with a recent CV.

The supporting statement should demonstrate why you want to join our charity, your suitability for this role and specifically address the key elements of this role specification.

If your skills and experience fit, you will be shortlisted and final selection will be via a two-stage formal interview process with the Chair of Trustees, Chief Executive and one or two other Trustees.

Deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 13 February 2026.

Interview dates are 26 February and 11 March 2026 at Peace Hospice, Watford.

On successful appointment, the following will be required:

• Volunteer application form and appropriate references
• Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check
• Online course in data security, information governance and other essential learning
• Legal documentation required to become a charity Trustee