Consolidation of charity law

4 March 2011

The Charities Bill was published today, consolidating existing charities legislation into one Act of Parliament. The consolidation bill aims to make it easier to follow charities legislation.

The Bill updates the text and simplifies the structure of the existing legislation and does not, and cannot, introduce or change policy. 

Charity legislation is currently fragmented. Key provisions are contained within the Recreational Charities Act 1958, the Charities Act 1993 and the Charities Act 2006, all since amended by other legislation. The consolidation proposed in the Charities Bill aims to rectify the fragmentation.

The Charities Bill has been prepared by the Law Commission working with the Office for Civil Society and the Charity Commission.

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said:

Charity legislation is extremely difficult to navigate, particularly for the untrained reader. The Charities Bill is to be welcomed. The Bill will make it easier for people to understand and follow charity law.

"I am grateful to the Law Commission for preparing this consolidation.

Notes to editors

1. Work on the consolidation was begun in response to parliamentary criticism about the fragmentation of charity legislation during the passage of the Charities Act 2006.
2. The Charities Bill will go through a special parliamentary procedure for Law Commission Consolidation Bills.