The Good Law Project (GLP), a prominent left-wing legal campaigner directed by Jolyon Maugham KC, is transitioning its operational structure to an offshore trust in Jersey. This move, announced in May 2025, marks a significant departure from the group's original 2017 setup as a UK-based non-profit company limited by guarantee.
From "The offshore bonanza" to a Jersey trust
The decision to move operations to Jersey has drawn sharp criticism for its perceived inconsistency with the group's previous campaigning. As the source reports, the Good Law Project has a history of targeting offshore financial arrangements , including a 2024 article titled "The offshore bonanza powering Reform's far-Right rhetoric ." By adopting a Jersey-based structure, the organization now finds itself using the very mechanisms it once publicly condemned.
This shift comes at a time when the group's reputation is already under scrutiny. Following a lost High Court judicial review in February 2025,some critics have questioned the group's reliance on public crowdfunding and its frequent use of moral arguments to solicit donations.
Trading Charity Commission oversight for Jersey privacy
Under the new arrangement orchestrated by director Jolyon Maugham KC, the Good Law Project will function as a trust rather than a registered charity. This restructuring allows the group to replicate certain features of a charity without being subject to the regulatory oversight of the Charity Commission.
According to the report, Jersey purpose trusts provide a level of confidentiality regarding ownership, control, and resources that far exceeds the transparency requirements of UK companies. while Jolyon Maugham KC is stepping down as the owner to become a trustee, the move effectively shields the organization's internal financial workings from the public eye.
The political tension of Rishi Sunak’s "lawfare" critique
The restructuring occurs within a highly charged political environment in the United Kingdom. Former Tory leader Rishi Sunak has been a vocal critic of activist lawyers like Jolyon Maugham KC, accusing them of using "lawfare" to obstruct the parliamentary process.
The Good Law Project has long been at the center of this debate, using judicial reviews to challenge government decisions. The move to an offsohre jurisdiction may be viewed by political opponents as an attempt to insulate the group from the very legal and political scrutiny it seeks to impose on others.
Who controls the Good Law Project's new Jersey resources?
The transition to a Jersey purpose trust leaves several critical questions unanswered regarding the group's future accountability. Because these trusts offer enhanced privacy, the public and donors may be left in the dark about the true extent of the organization's resources.
Specifically, it remains unclear how the group will maintain its commitment to transparency while operating under a structure designed for confidentiality. Furthermore, the source notes that a spokesperson for the Good Law Project did not respond to requests for comment , leaving the specific motivations behind the move unverified.
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