Charity Regulation

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has now commenced compulsory registration of charities.  We provide the sector with the most up to date information on the key changes in charity regulation.  For the latest on new charity regulations and a history of recent charity law reform in NI, please see our dedicated charity regulation webpage

Charities Bill Consideration

20 Sep 2012Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The proposed amendment will not affect the requirement in the Act that no particular purpose should be presumed to be for the public benefit. 

Charities Bill Introduced

5 Jul 2012Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

NICVA welcomes the introduction of the Charities Bill into the Assembly on 2 July 2012 the second stage of which will hopefully take place when the Assembly returns in September.

Minister makes decision for a Charities (Amendment) Bill

2 Feb 2012Denise Copeland Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

NICVA welcomes the Minister for Social Development's decision that all charities in Northern Ireland will be required to demonstrate that they are established for the benefit of the public.

Charities (Amendment) Bill Rescheduled

22 Sep 2011Denise Copeland Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Committee for Social Development was due to consider the Charities (Amendment) Bill at the end of September, but this has now been rescheduled to 20 October 2011.

Public Benefit Issue Soon to be Resolved

25 Jul 2011Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

There is still no date for the establishment of the Register of Charities as the issue with the public benefit test has still not been resolved.

Accounting Regulations for all Charities

24 Jul 2011Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

Despite the delay over the establishment of the Register of Charities, the DSD is currently working on preparing further secondary legislation and hopes to launch draft accounting regulations for consultation in September/October this year. 

Charity Commission Announces Introduction of Charity Regulation to Northern Ireland

7 Mar 2011Denise Copeland Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

In an announcement welcomed by NICVA, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) has publicised the introduction of charity regulation to Northern Ireland.

Charity Commission Launches Pre-registration Process

20 Feb 2011Denise Copeland Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) has been contacting groups in order to verify the details passed on to them by HM Revenue and Customs.

Viewfinder 9

22 Nov 2010Andrea Thornbury ResearchCharity Regulation, Governance, Collaboration, Economy, Viewfinder (Research)

This Viewfinder survey looks at awareness of the new Charity Commission and preparedness for the new regulations; the Code of Good Governance; collaborative working and mergers; the impact of the economic recession and volunteering.

Charities Act (NI) 2008 to be Amended

1 Nov 2010Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

Alex Attwood, the new Minister for Social Development, has directed that the Charities Act (NI) 2008 be amended to clarify the law on the public benefit test.