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Northern Ireland's charities legislation in place
The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 received Royal Assent on 9th September after its protracted passage through the legislative process. It is expected that the establishment of a Charity Commission will start next month with the appointment of Charity Commissioners.
To lift wholesale from NICVA's news item: The first main business of the Commission will be to consult on public benefit guidance and this will probably take place in the early part of 2009. It is envisaged that charities will not need to register with the Charity Commission until the spring of 2010, with the first reporting requirements the following year. The new rules for fundraising and public collections are not likely to take effect until 2011.
Some provisions of the Act, such as the Charitable Incorporated Organisation legal model, require secondary legislation but it is expected that all parts should become fully operational by early 2011. The Charities Implementation Team in the Department or Social Development has set up a Charity Regulation Stakeholder Forum to consider the implications of the new Charities Act.
