This explains what the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (the Act) will mean for charities working in Northern Ireland. It provides links to sources of information and updates.

What will the Act do?

The most important things about the Act are that:

• it has set up a new body, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI), to regulate charities working there;
• it will set up a compulsory register of all charities working in Northern Ireland
• it will provide a charity test to identify which organisations are charitable
• it will put in place new requirements for public collections.

Do we need to do anything now?

The Act is now in place and it provides a broad legislative framework for charities working in Northern Ireland. This means that its requirements won't come into force until further legislation makes them happen.

Where can we find out what is happening?

Look at the CCNI website for updates and news.

CCNI can be contacted at:

Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
257 Lough Road,
Lurgan,
Craigavon
BT66 6NQ

Tel: 028 3832 0220
Fax: 028 3834 5943
Text Phone: 028 3834 7639