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 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. 

Establishment of Register of Charities Delayed

18 Jun 2010Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Charity Commission has identified a potential technical hitch with some of the wording in the Charities Act and has asked the Department for Social Development to investigate.

Register of Charities Timescale Announced

8 Jun 2010Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Charity Commission has announced that the Register of Charities for Northern Ireland will be operational by the end of June.  

Latest news from the Charity Commission

10 Jan 2010Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

NICVA has got the latest update on the implementation timetable for various provisions of the Charities Act following a recent meeting with the Secretariat of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Public Benefit Test Guidance Consultation Launched

1 Sep 2009Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has embarked on its first major piece of work with the launch of the public benefit test guidance for consultation on 3 September in NICVA.

DSD advertises Charity Commissioners' Positions

10 Jan 2009Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Department for Social Development is seeking to appoint a Chief Commissioner to lead the Commission, as well as a Deputy Chief Commissioner and up to five Charity Commissioners, including a legally qualified Commissioner.

Royal Assent for Charities Act (NI) 2008

10 Sep 2008Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The long awaited new charities legislation for Northern Ireland received Royal Assent on 9 September 2008. 

Final Stages for Charities Bill

1 Jul 2008Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Charities Bill (as amended at consideration stage) reached its final stage in the Assembly on 30 June and is now waiting Royal Assent. 

Charities Bill: Extension of Committee Stage

12 Feb 2008Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Charities Bill will not be enacted in the first part of 2008 as had been anticipated.

Charities Bill for Northern Ireland Introduced

12 Dec 2007Denise Copeland Governance and Charity Advice, Charity RegulationCharity Regulation

The Charities Bill for Northern Ireland was introduced to the Assembly on 10 December 2007.