When will NI have its own Charities Commission?

12 When will Northern Ireland have its own Charity Commission?

There has been a setback for charities regulation in Northern Ireland, the Charity Commission will NOT be established this year as originally intended.

The Charities (NI) Order 2007 which was laid before parliament in January will not continue its passage through Westminster as planned. Instead, with the restoration of Devolution, the new Minister will consider the charities legislation for referral to the Northern Ireland Assembly. It is envisaged that it will be the middle of 2008 before we have our new charities legislation which will see the establishment of a Charity Commission to regulate all charites operating in Northern Ireland. The Commission will have powers of investigation and enforcement and will maintain a Register of Charities.

The Register shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times which should help promote transparency and public confidence as the Register will provide accessible information on charities which is currently not available.

The Register should also help to reduce the instance of rogue charities carrying out collections in Northern Ireland. When the Register is fully up and running the public will be able to check the legitimacy of a charity.

For more full details of draft Charities Order and NICVA’s response visit our Charity Law Reform page