Charity Regulation
The Charities Act (NI) 2008 (the Act) as amended by the Charities Act (NI) 2013, is the key legislative framework containing new regulations which charities operating in Northern Ireland must abide by.
The Act provides for the establishment of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland which, since coming into being in 2009, has been given various powers including those of investigation and enforcement. The Charity Commission established the Register of Charities in December 2013 and is calling on all charitable organisations to come forward and register with it.
Not all the provisions of the Act have been introduced as further secondary legislation is required to bring all of the provisions into being, for example, the CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) legal structure is not available yet and is unlikely to be for some time. Likewise the new rules for public collections and control of fundraising are not likely to be included in the Commission's strategic agenda for the next three years.
For more detailed information on the passage of the Act, including various briefing papers, please see the Charity Law Reform Timeline below.
We keep the sector informed of all key charity law updates and developments. If you need further advice on any aspect of charity regulation, please contact our Governance and Charity Advice team.
News & Articles
Unhappy with a Charity Commission decision made prior to May 2019?
The Charities Act (NI) 2022 will reinstate the vast majority of decisions made by Charity Commission staff prior to the end of May 2019.
Annual reporting requirements for registered charities update
Annual reporting for all registered charities is reinstated now that the Charities Act (NI) 2022 has received royal assent.
Charities Act (NI) 2022
The Charities Act (NI) 2022 has now come into effect after receiving Royal Assent on the 30 March 2022.
Independent Review of NI Charity Regulation Report launched
The Independent Review Panel of Charity Regulation in NI has launched its report at a special stakeholder on 20 January 2022.
Charity Commission launches new stakeholder forum to connect with charities
A new forum aimed at supporting and improving communications on issues around charity law, regulation and trends has been launched by Northern Ireland’s charity regulator.
NICVA's response to the Charities Bill
NICVA has prepared a response to the Charities Bill 2021. Closing date for receipt of responses is Friday 3 September 2021.
Charities Bill – your views are being sought by the Communities Committee
Further to the introduction of the Charities Bill to the Assembly in June, the Committee for Communities has launched its ‘Call for Evidence and Views’ and seeks your views by Friday 3 September.
Charities Bill introduced
The Minister for Communities introduced the Charities Bill to the Assembly on 21 June 2021.
NICVA response to the independent review of charity regulation
NICVA has prepared its response to the independent review of charity regulation. Closing date for receipt of responses is Wednesday 12 May 2021.
Have your say in the future of charity regulation
The closing date for responses to the independent review of charity regulation is 12 May 2021. Please take this opportunity to comment on changes that are needed to help voluntary and community organisations.
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Charity Law Reform Timeline
Charities Act (NI) 2022
17 Feb 2022NICVA's response to the Charities Bill
16 Aug 2021Charities Bill introduced
1 Jul 202131 Oct - Charity annual reporting deadline
21 Oct 2019Charities ‘in default’
20 Feb 2019Serious Incident Reporting draft guidance
7 Jul 2017Accounting and reporting guidance published
29 Jul 2016Promoting good financial governance
12 May 2016Alert for charity registration applicants
26 Feb 2016A consultation that you really should respond to
12 Oct 2015The Charity Commission values your opinion
27 Aug 2015New equality guidance for charities
26 Jun 2015Charity Commission verdict on sector
5 Jan 2015Interim Reporting Requirements
1 Apr 2014NICVA becomes one of first registered charities
16 Dec 2013Register of Charities Established
13 Dec 2013Register of Charities - one step closer
14 Feb 2013Charities Bill Passes Consideration Stage
17 Dec 2012NICVA responds to Charities Bill
20 Sep 2012Charities Bill Consideration
20 Sep 2012NICVA Responds to Charities Bill
20 Sep 2012Charities Bill Introduced
5 Jul 2012Charities (Amendment) Bill Rescheduled
22 Sep 2011Public Benefit Issue Soon to be Resolved
25 Jul 2011Accounting Regulations for all Charities
24 Jul 2011Not All Charities to be Treated Equally
11 Mar 2011Charities Act (NI) 2008 to be Amended
1 Nov 2010Establishment of Register of Charities Delayed
18 Jun 2010Register of Charities Timescale Announced
8 Jun 2010Latest news from the Charity Commission
10 Jan 2010DSD advertises Charity Commissioners' Positions
10 Jan 2009Royal Assent for Charities Act (NI) 2008
10 Sep 2008Final Stages for Charities Bill
1 Jul 2008Charities Bill: Extension of Committee Stage
12 Feb 2008Charities Bill for Northern Ireland Introduced
12 Dec 2007
Contact
Team
| Denise Copeland | Governance and Charity Advice Manager |
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