Qualification and experience
• Trinity Hall, Cambridge (Hons. Economics & Law)
• Admitted solicitor 1964
• Trained in Sudbury, Suffolk. Solicitor with Pritchard Englefield and then Lawford & Co. in London before founding Bates Wells & Braithwaite, London in 1970
• Specialist in charity law (also works in business and defamation law)
• Author of "The Living Law" (an introduction to law for young people) and "Charitable Status - A Practical Handbook" (in its 5th edition) for charity trustees and advisers and co-author of "Charity Investment - Law and Practice"
• Co-founded the first trans-Europe lawyers grouping - the PARLEX GROUP -in 1971
• Co-founder and first chairman of the Legal Action Group (LAG) in 1971
• Founder (1988) and first Chairman of the Citizenship Foundation; now President
• Initiated the Lawyers in the Community Scheme in 1987
• Co-founder of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group in 1996 of which he is now President
• Patron and Trustee of various other charities. On Council for Charitable Support
• Member of first board of Community Fund (National Lottery Charities Board)
• Awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List in 1996 for 'establishing the Citizenship Foundation and for services to the law and young people'
• Made a Life Peer in June 1998 (Libdem). Active since, and on various committees
• Non-executive director of several companies
• Freelance journalist and regular broadcaster (inc. 26 years 'Legal Eagle' on BBC Jimmy Young show until 2001)
• Member of Scott Trust 1992-2002

Pro Bono Work
• See above