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Charities Act 2011 2011 c. 25 An Act to consolidate the Charities Act 1993 and other enactments which relate to charities. [14th December 2011] Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Propose a change(1) For the purposes of the law of England and Wales, “charity” means an institution which— (a) is established for charitable purposes only, and (b) falls to be subject to the control of the High Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction with respect to charities. (2) The definition of “charity” in subsection (1) does not apply for the purposes of an enactment if a different definition of that term applies for those purposes by virtue of that or any other enactment.
Propose a change(1) For the purposes of the law of England and Wales, a charitable purpose is a purpose which— (a) falls within section 3(1), and (b) is for the public benefit (see section 4). (2) Any reference in any enactment or document (in whatever terms)— (a) to charitable purposes, or (b) to institutions having purposes that are charitable under the law relating to charities in England and Wales, is to be read in accordance with subsection (1). (3) Subsection (2) does not apply where the context otherwise requires. (4) This section is subject to section 11 (which makes special provision for Chapter 2 of this Part onwards).
Propose a change(1) A purpose falls within this subsection if it falls within any of the following descriptions of purposes— (a) the prevention or relief of poverty; (b) the advancement of education; (c) the advancement of religion; (d) the advancement of health or the saving of lives; (e) the advancement of citizenship or community development; (f) the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science; (g) the advancement of amateur sport; (h) the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity; (i) the advancement of environmental protection or improvement; (j) the relief of those in need because of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage; (k) the advancement of animal welfare; (l) the promotion of the efficiency of the armed forces of the Crown or of the efficiency of the police, fire and rescue services or ambulance services; (m) any other purposes— (i) that are not within paragraphs (a) to (l) but are recognised as charitable purposes by virtue of section 5 (recreational and similar trusts, etc.) or under the old law, (ii) that may reasonably be regarded as analogous to, or within the spirit of, any purposes falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (l) or sub-paragraph (i), or (iii) that may reasonably be regarded as analogous to, or within the spirit of, any purposes which have been recognised, under the law relating to charities in England and Wales, as falling within sub-paragraph (ii) or this sub-paragraph. (2) In subsection (1)— (a) in paragraph (c), “religion” includes— (i) a religion which involves belief in more than one god, and (ii) a religion which does not involve belief in a god, (b) in paragraph (d), “the advancement of health” includes the prevention or relief of sickness, disease or human suffering, (c) paragraph (e) includes— (i) rural or urban regeneration, and (ii) the promotion of civic responsibility, volunteering, the voluntary sector or the effectiveness or efficiency of charities, (d) in paragraph (g), “sport” means sports or games which promote health by involving physical or mental skill or exertion, (e) paragraph (j) includes relief given by the provision of accommodation or care to the persons mentioned in that paragraph, and (f) in paragraph (l), “fire and rescue services” means services provided by fire and rescue authorities under Part 2 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. (3) Where any of the terms used in any of paragraphs (a) to (l) of subsection (1), or in subsection (2), has a particular meaning under the law relating to charities in England and Wales, the term is to be taken as having the same meaning where it appears in that provision. (4) In subsection (1)(m)(i), “the old law” means the law relating to charities in England and Wales as in force immediately before 1 April 2008.
Propose a change(1) In this Act “the public benefit requirement” means the requirement in section 2(1)(b) that a purpose falling within section 3(1) must be for the public benefit if it is to be a charitable purpose. (2) In determining whether the public benefit requirement is satisfied in relation to any purpose falling within section 3(1), it is not to be presumed that a purpose of a particular description is for the public benefit. (3) In this Chapter any reference to the public benefit is a reference to the public benefit as that term is understood for the purposes of the law relating to charities in England and Wales. (4) Subsection (3) is subject to subsection (2).
Propose a change(1) It is charitable (and is to be treated as always having been charitable) to provide, or assist in the provision of, facilities for— (a) recreation, or (b) other leisure-time occupation, if the facilities are provided in the interests of social welfare. (2) The requirement that the facilities are provided in the interests of social welfare cannot be satisfied if the basic conditions are not met. (3) The basic conditions are— (a) that the facilities are provided with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities are primarily intended, and (b) that— (i) those persons have need of the facilities because of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty, or social and economic circumstances, or (ii) the facilities are to be available to members of the public at large or to male, or to female, members of the public at large. (4) Subsection (1) applies in particular to— (a) the provision of facilities at village halls, community centres and women's institutes, and (b) the provision and maintenance of grounds and buildings to be used for purposes of recreation or leisure-time occupation, and extends to the provision of facilities for those purposes by the organising of any activity. But this is subject to the requirement that the facilities are provided in the interests of social welfare. (5) Nothing in this section is to be treated as derogating from the public benefit requirement.
Propose a change(1) A registered sports club established for charitable purposes is to be treated as not being so established, and accordingly cannot be a charity. (2) In subsection (1), “registered sports club” means a registered club within the meaning of Chapter 9 of Part 13 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (community amateur sports clubs).
Propose a change(1) This Chapter affects the law of Scotland only in so far as it affects the construction of references to— (a) charities, or (b) charitable purposes, in enactments which relate to matters falling within Section A1 of Part 2 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998 (reserved matters: fiscal policy etc.). (2) In so far as this Chapter affects the law of Scotland— (a) references in sections 1(1) and 2(1) to the law of England and Wales are to be read as references to the law of Scotland, and (b) the reference in section 1(1) to the High Court is to be read as a reference to the Court of Session.
Propose a change(1) This Chapter affects the law of Northern Ireland only in so far as it affects the construction of references to— (a) charities, or (b) charitable purposes, in enactments which relate to matters falling within paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (excepted matters: taxes and duties). (2) In so far as this Chapter affects the law of Northern Ireland— (a) references in sections 1(1) and 2(1) to the law of England and Wales are to be read as references to the law of Northern Ireland, and (b) the reference in section 1(1) to the High Court is to be read as a reference to the High Court in Northern Ireland.
Propose a change(1) In this Chapter “enactment” includes— (a) any provision of subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978), and (b) a provision of a Measure of the Church Assembly or of the General Synod of the Church of England, and references to enactments include enactments whenever passed or made. (2) In section 2(2) the reference to a document includes a document whenever made. (3) In this Act “institution” means an institution whether incorporated or not, and includes a trust or undertaking. (4) Subsections (1) to (3) apply except where the context otherwise requires.
Propose a change(1) In the rest of this Act, “charity”, except in so far as the context otherwise requires, has the meaning given by section 1(1). (2) But in the rest of this Act (apart from Chapter 3 of Part 17) “charity” is not applicable to— (a) any ecclesiastical corporation in respect of the corporate property of the corporation, except a corporation aggregate having some purposes which are not ecclesiastical in respect of its corporate property held for those purposes, (b) any Diocesan Board of Finance, or any subsidiary of such a Board, in respect of the diocesan glebe land of the diocese, or (c) any trust of property for purposes for which the property has been consecrated. (3) “Ecclesiastical corporation” means any corporation in the Church of England, whether sole or aggregate, which is established for spiritual purposes but does not include the Chapter of a cathedral to which the Cathedrals Measure 2021 applies. (4) In this section— “Diocesan Board of Finance” has the same meaning as “DBF” in the Church Property Measure 2018; “diocesan glebe land” has the same meaning as in that Measure; “subsidiary” has the same meaning as “management subsidiary” in that Measure.
Propose a changeIn the rest of this Act, “charitable purposes” means, except in so far as the context otherwise requires, purposes which are exclusively charitable purposes (as defined by section 2(1)).
Propose a change(1) The Commission (see section 13) may direct that for all or any of the purposes of this Act an institution established for any special purposes of or in connection with a charity (being charitable purposes) is to be treated— (a) as forming part of that charity, or (b) as forming a distinct charity. (2) The Commission may direct that for all or any of the purposes of this Act two or more charities having the same charity trustees are to be treated as a single charity.
Propose a change(1) There continues to be a body corporate known as the Charity Commission for England and Wales (in this Act referred to as “the Commission”). (2) In Welsh the Commission is known as “Comisiwn Elusennau Cymru a Lloegr”. (3) The functions of the Commission are performed on behalf of the Crown. (4) In the exercise of its functions the Commission is not subject to the direction or control of any Minister of the Crown or of another government department. (5) But subsection (4) does not affect— (a) any provision made by or under any enactment; (b) any administrative controls exercised over the Commission's expenditure by the Treasury. (6) Schedule 1 contains provisions relating to the Commission.
Propose a changeThe Commission has the following objectives— 1 The public confidence objective The public confidence objective is to increase public trust and confidence in charities. 2 The public benefit objective The public benefit objective is to promote awareness and understanding of the operation of the public benefit requirement. 3 The compliance objective The compliance objective is to promote compliance by charity trustees with their legal obligations in exercising control and management of the administration of their charities. 4 The charitable resources objective The charitable resources objective is to promote the effective use of charitable resources. 5 The accountability objective The accountability objective is to enhance the accountability of charities to donors, beneficiaries and the general public.
Propose a change(1) The Commission has the following general functions— 1 Determining whether institutions are or are not charities. 2 Encouraging and facilitating the better administration of charities. 3 Identifying and investigating apparent misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of charities and taking remedial or protective action in connection with misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of charities. 4 Determining whether public collections certificates should be issued, and remain in force, in respect of public charitable collections. 5 Obtaining, evaluating and disseminating information in connection with the performance of any of the Commission's functions or meeting any of its objectives. 6 Giving information or advice, or making proposals, to any Minister of the Crown on matters relating to any of the Commission's functions or meeting any of its objectives. (2) The Commission may, in connection with its second general function, give such advice or guidance with respect to the administration of charities as it considers appropriate. (3) Any advice or guidance so given may relate to— (a) charities generally, (b) any class of charities, or (c) any particular charity, and may take such form, and be given in such manner, as the Commission considers appropriate. (4) The Commission's fifth general function includes (among other things) the maintenance of an accurate and up-to-date register of charities under sections 29 (the register) and 34 (removal of charities from register). (5) The Commission's sixth general function includes (among other things) complying, so far as is reasonably practicable, with any request made by a Minister of the Crown for information or advice on any matter relating to any of its functions. (6) In this section “public charitable collection” and “public collections certificate” have the same meaning as in Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Charities Act 2006.
Propose a changeThe Commission has the following general duties— 1 So far as is reasonably practicable the Commission must, in performing its functions, act in a way— (a) which is compatible with its objectives, and (b) which it considers most appropriate for the purpose of meeting those objectives. 2 So far as is reasonably practicable the Commission must, in performing its functions, act in a way which is compatible with the encouragement of— (a) all forms of charitable giving, and (b) voluntary participation in charity work. 3 In performing its functions the Commission must have regard to the need to use its resources in the most efficient, effective and economic way. 4 In performing its functions the Commission must, so far as relevant, have regard to the principles of best regulatory practice (including the principles under which regulatory activities should be proportionate, accountable, consistent, transparent and targeted only at cases in which action is needed). 5 In performing its functions the Commission must, in appropriate cases, have regard to the desirability of facilitating innovation by or on behalf of charities. 6 In managing its affairs the Commission must have regard to such generally accepted principles of good corporate governance as it is reasonable to regard as applicable to it.
Propose a change(1) The Commission must issue guidance in pursuance of its public benefit objective (see paragraph 2 of section 14). (2) The Commission may from time to time revise any guidance issued under this section. (3) The Commission must carry out such public and other consultation as it considers appropriate— (a) before issuing any guidance under this section, or (b) (unless it considers that it is unnecessary to do so) before revising any guidance under this section. (4) The Commission must publish any guidance issued or revised under this section in such manner as it considers appropriate. (5) The charity trustees of a charity must have regard to any such guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
Propose a changeThe Commission must, at the request of any person, provide that person with copies of, or extracts from, any document in the Commission's possession which is for the time being open to or available for inspection under any provision of this Act.
Propose a change(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations require the payment to the Commission of such fees as may be prescribed by the regulations in respect of— (a) the discharge by the Commission of such functions under the enactments relating to charities as may be so prescribed; (b) the inspection of the register of charities or of other material kept by the Commission under those enactments, or the provision of copies of or extracts from documents so kept. (2) Regulations under this section may— (a) confer, or provide for the conferring of, exemptions from liability to pay a prescribed fee; (b) provide for the remission or refunding of a prescribed fee (in whole or in part) in circumstances prescribed by the regulations. (3) The Commission may impose charges of such amounts as it considers reasonable in respect of the supply of any publications produced by it. (4) Any fees and other payments received by the Commission by virtue of this section are to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
Propose a change(1) The Commission may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the performance of any of its functions or general duties. (2) But nothing in this Act authorises the Commission— (a) to exercise functions corresponding to those of a charity trustee in relation to a charity, or (b) otherwise to be directly involved in the administration of a charity. (3) Subsection (2) does not affect the operation of section 84, 84A, 84B or 85 (power of Commission to direct specified action to be taken or to direct application of charity property).
Propose a change(1) There continues to be an officer known as the official custodian for charities (in this Act referred to as “the official custodian”). (2) The official custodian's function is to act as trustee for charities in the cases provided for by this Act. (3) The official custodian is such individual as the Commission may from time to time designate. (4) The official custodian's duties must be performed in accordance with such general or special directions as may be given by the Commission. (5) Schedule 2 contains provisions relating to the official custodian.
Propose a change(1) In this Act “exempt charity” means any institution, so far as it is a charity, that is within Schedule 3. (2) Subsection (1) is subject to any other enactment by virtue of which a charity is an exempt charity.
Propose a change(1) The Secretary of State may by order make such amendments of Schedule 3 as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for securing— (a) that (so far as they are charities) institutions of a particular description become or (as the case may be) cease to be exempt charities, or (b) that (so far as it is a charity) a particular institution becomes or (as the case may be) ceases to be an exempt charity. (2) An order under subsection (1) may be made only if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the order is desirable in the interests of ensuring appropriate or effective regulation of the charities or charity concerned in connection with compliance by the charity trustees of the charities or charity with their legal obligations in exercising control and management of the administration of the charities or charity. (3) The Secretary of State may by order make such amendments or other modifications of any enactment as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with— (a) charities of a particular description becoming, or ceasing to be, exempt charities, or (b) a particular charity becoming, or ceasing to be, an exempt charity, as a result of provision made under subsection (1). (4) In subsection (3), “enactment” includes— (a) any provision of subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978), and (b) a provision of a Measure of the Church Assembly or of the General Synod of the Church of England, and references to enactments include enactments whenever passed or made.
Propose a changeThe Secretary of State may by order make such amendments of Schedule 3 as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for removing from that Schedule an institution that has ceased to exist.
Propose a changeIn this Act “the principal regulator”, in relation to an exempt charity, means such body or Minister of the Crown as is prescribed as its principal regulator by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
Propose a change(1) This section applies to any body or Minister of the Crown who is the principal regulator in relation to an exempt charity. (2) The body or Minister must do all that the body or Minister reasonably can to meet the compliance objective in relation to the charity. (3) The compliance objective is to promote compliance by the charity trustees with their legal obligations in exercising control and management of the administration of the charity.
Propose a change(1) Regulations under section 25 may make such amendments or other modifications of any enactment as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purpose of facilitating, or otherwise in connection with, the discharge by a principal regulator of the duty under section 26(2). (2) In subsection (1), “enactment” includes— (a) any provision of subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978), and (b) a provision of a Measure of the Church Assembly or of the General Synod of the Church of England, and references to enactments include enactments whenever passed or made.
Propose a changeBefore exercising in relation to an exempt charity any specific power exercisable by it in relation to the charity, the Commission must consult the charity's principal regulator.
Propose a change(1) There continues to be a register of charities, to be kept by the Commission in such manner as it thinks fit. (2) The register must contain— (a) the name of every charity registered in accordance with section 30, and (b) such other particulars of, and such other information relating to, every such charity as the Commission thinks fit. (3) In this Act, except in so far as the context otherwise requires, “the register” means the register of charities kept under this section and “registered” is to be read accordingly.
Propose a change(1) Every charity must be registered in the register unless subsection (2) applies to it. (2) The following are not required to be registered— (a) an exempt charity (see section 22 and Schedule 3), (b) a charity which for the time being— (i) is permanently or temporarily excepted by order of the Commission, and (ii) complies with any conditions of the exception, and whose gross income does not exceed £100,000, (c) a charity which for the time being— (i) is, or is of a description, permanently or temporarily excepted by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and (ii) complies with any conditions of the exception, and whose gross income does not exceed £100,000, and (d) a charity whose gross income does not exceed £5,000. (3) A charity within— (a) subsection (2)(b) or (c), or (b) subsection (2)(d), must, if it so requests, be registered in the register. (4) In this section any reference to a charity's gross income is to be read, in relation to a particular time— (a) as a reference to the charity's gross income in its financial year immediately preceding that time, or (b) if the Commission so determines, as a reference to the amount which the Commission estimates to be the likely amount of the charity's gross income in such financial year of the charity as is specified in the determination.
Propose a change(1) No order may be made under section 30(2)(b) so as to except any charity that was not excepted immediately before 31 January 2009. (2) Subject to subsection (3), no regulations may be made under section 30(2)(c) so as to except any charity or description of charities that was not excepted immediately before 31 January 2009. (3) Such regulations must be made under section 30(2)(c) as are necessary to secure that any institution ceasing to be an exempt charity by virtue of an order made under section 23 is excepted under section 30(2)(c) (subject to compliance with any conditions of the exception and the financial limit mentioned in section 30(2)(c)). (4) Subsection (1) does not prevent an order which— (a) was in force immediately before 31 January 2009, and (b) has effect (by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 8) as if made under section 30(2)(b), from being varied or revoked. (5) Subsection (2) does not prevent regulations which— (a) were in force immediately before 31 January 2009, and (b) have effect (by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 8) as if made under section 30(2)(c), from being varied or revoked.
Propose a change(1) The Secretary of State may by order amend— (a) section 30(2)(b) and (c), or (b) section 30(2)(d), by substituting a different sum for the sum for the time being specified there. (2) The Secretary of State may only make an order under subsection (1)— (a) so far as it amends section 30(2)(b) and (c), if the Secretary of State considers it expedient to do so with a view to reducing the scope of the exceptions provided by section 30(2)(b) and (c); (b) so far as it amends section 30(2)(d), if the Secretary of State considers it expedient to do so— (i) in consequence of changes in the value of money, or (ii) with a view to extending the scope of the exception provided by section 30(2)(d). (3) No order may be made by the Secretary of State under subsection (1)(a) unless a copy of a report under section 73 of the Charities Act 2006 has been laid before Parliament in accordance with that section.
Propose a changeThe following provisions— (a) section 30(2)(b) and (c) and (3)(a), (b) section 31, (c) section 32(1)(a), (2)(a) and (3), and (d) this section, cease to have effect on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint for the purposes of this section.
Propose a change(1) The Commission must remove from the register— (a) any institution which it no longer considers is a charity, and (b) any charity which has ceased to exist or does not operate. (2) If the removal of an institution under subsection (1)(a) is due to any change in its trusts, the removal takes effect from the date of the change. (3) A charity which is for the time being registered under section 30(3) (voluntary registration) must be removed from the register if it so requests.
Propose a change(1) If a charity required to be registered by virtue of section 30(1) is not registered, the charity trustees must— (a) apply to the Commission for the charity to be registered, and (b) supply the Commission with the required documents and information. (2) The required documents and information are— (a) copies of the charity's trusts or (if they are not set out in any extant document) particulars of them, (b) such other documents or information as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and (c) such other documents or information as the Commission may require for the purposes of the application. (3) If an institution is for the time being registered, the charity trustees (or the last charity trustees) must— (a) notify the Commission if the institution ceases to exist, or if there is any change in its trusts or in the particulars of it entered in the register, and (b) so far as appropriate, supply the Commission with particulars of any such change and copies of any new trusts or alterations of the trusts. (4) Nothing in subsection (3) requires a person— (a) to supply the Commission with copies of schemes for the administration of a charity made otherwise than by the court, (b) to notify the Commission of any change made with respect to a registered charity by such a scheme, or (c) if the person refers the Commission to a document or copy already in the Commission's possession, to supply a further copy of the document.
Propose a change(1) A person who is or may be affected by the registration of an institution as a charity may, on the ground that it is not a charity— (a) object to its being entered by the Commission in the register, or (b) apply to the Commission for it to be removed from the register. (2) Provision may be made by regulations made by the Secretary of State as to the manner in which any such objection or application is to be made, prosecuted or dealt with. (3) Subsection (4) applies if there is an appeal to the Tribunal against any decision of the Commission— (a) to enter an institution in the register, or (b) not to remove an institution from the register. (4) Until the Commission is satisfied whether the decision of the Commission is or is not to stand, the entry in the register— (a) is to be maintained, but (b) is in suspense and must be marked to indicate that it is in suspense. (5) Any question affecting the registration or removal from the register of an institution— (a) may be considered afresh by the Commission, even though it has been determined by a decision on appeal under Chapter 2 of Part 17 (appeals and applications to Tribunal), and (b) is not concluded by that decision, if it appears to the Commission that— (i) there has been a change of circumstances, or (ii) the decision is inconsistent with a later judicial decision.
Propose a change(1) An institution is, for all purposes other than rectification of the register, conclusively presumed to be or to have been a charity at any time when it is or was on the register. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) an institution is to be treated as not being on the register during any period when the entry relating to it is in suspense under section 36(4).
Propose a change(1) The register (including the entries cancelled when institutions are removed from the register) must be open to public inspection at all reasonable times. (2) If any information contained in the register is not in documentary form, subsection (1) is to be read as requiring the information to be available for public inspection in legible form at all reasonable times. (3) If the Commission so determines, subsection (1) does not apply to any particular information contained in the register that is specified in the determination. (4) Copies (or particulars) of the trusts of any registered charity as supplied to the Commission under section 35 (duties of trustees in connection with registration) must, so long as the charity remains on the register— (a) be kept by the Commission, and (b) be open to public inspection at all reasonable times. (5) If a copy of a document relating to a registered charity— (a) is not required to be supplied to the Commission as the result of section 35(4), but (b) is in the Commission's possession, a copy of the document must be open to inspection under subsection (4) as if supplied to the Commission under section 35.
Propose a change(1) This section applies to a registered charity if its gross income in its last financial year exceeded £10,000. (2) If this section applies to a registered charity, the fact that it is a registered charity must be stated in legible characters— (a) in all notices, advertisements and other documents issued by or on behalf of the charity and soliciting money or other property for the benefit of the charity, (b) in all bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques and orders for money or goods purporting to be signed on behalf of the charity, and (c) in all bills rendered by it and in all its invoices, receipts and letters of credit. (3) The statement required by subsection (2) must be in English, except that, in the case of a document which is otherwise wholly in Welsh, the statement may be in Welsh if it consists of or includes “elusen cofrestredig” (the Welsh equivalent of “registered charity”). (4) Subsection (2)(a) has effect— (a) whether the solicitation is express or implied, and (b) whether or not the money or other property is to be given for any consideration.
Propose a change