Main navigation

Charities Act 2006

The Charities Act 2006 modernises the legal framework for charities in England and Wales.

It aims to:

• enable charities to administer themselves more efficiently and be more effective
• improve the regulation of charity fundraising and reduce regulation on the sector, especially for smaller charities
• provide a clear definition of charity with an emphasis on public benefit
• modernise the Charity Commission’s functions and powers as regulator, increase its accountability, and preserve its independence from ministers.

Most of the act’s main provisions are in force. The main provisions to be implemented are:

• the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, a new incorporated legal structure designed specifically to meet the needs of charities
• regulation of certain groups of ‘exempt’ charities
• the new regime for licensing public charitable collections