The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 received Royal Assent in September 2008. This Act establishes a Charity Commission and Charity Tribunal for Northern Ireland . The new law:
- Introduces a statutory definition of ‘charity’ and a list of charitable purposes;
- Establishes a full regulatory system for charities;
- Regulates public charitable collections;
- Introduces a thorough annual accounting and reporting regime;
- Establishes new rules relating to trustees, with regard to areas such as disqualification and remuneration; and
- Provides a new optional corporate legal form (the charitable incorporated organisation).
Until the establishment of Northern Ireland’s Charity Commission, the Department for Social Development (DSD) is the main charity authority in Northern Ireland, with responsibility for policy and most legislation that relates to charities in the area.
The Institute of Fundraising is a member of the Charity Regulation Stakeholders Group which has been convened to inform the Department for Social Development Charities Implementation Team of issues and concerns and identify possible solutions to take the implementation of this historic legislation forward.
