Corporate lawyers are to volunteer their time to help local charities.

The Centre on Philanthropy, an umbrella organisation for the third sector, is offering a two-hour pro bono corporate legal clinic to its members for the first time to allow non-profit organisations to discuss corporate legal issues with members of the Bermuda Bar Association.

Elaine Butterfield, executive director of the centre, said: “The clinic will allow non-profits to sign-up for short sessions of 15 minutes — or longer if time permits — with volunteer lawyers to discuss their organisation’s corporate legal matters.

“The volunteers will be able to provide information relevant to their inquiries or, as necessary, follow up after the clinic with specific legal advice or assistance.

“Matters to be discussed with volunteers are limited to corporate legal matters relevant to the non-profit organisations, which may include, but are not limited to, advice on the application of the Companies Act 1981 or Charities Act 2014 and its regulations, corporate structuring, including board composition and merger and amalgamation or other business combination transactions, and anti-money laundering/anti-terrorism financing regulations.”

The free clinic will be held at the Centre on Philanthropy on Wesley Street, Hamilton on November 17 from 5.30pm until 7.30pm. Members should call 236-7706 or e-mail info@centreonphilanthropy.org to book a 15-minute time slot.

The centre celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2016. Each year, more than 750 participants attend its workshops on issues such as governance, financial management, fundraising, capacity building, programme development, marketing and social media.

Its help desk answered about 1,200 enquiries by e-mail, stop-ins or appointments in 2014.