ECSH42575 - Charities and voluntary organisations

The Charity Commission is responsible for the registration of charities in England and Wales, ensuring that they understand and comply with charity law. The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator carries out a similar function for Scottish charities.

Charitable status is defined by the purpose and function of the particular organisation. These organisations can take a number of legal forms. Some may be companies limited by guarantee, a charitable incorporated organisation under the Charities Commission, or incorporated by Royal Charter or by Act of Parliament; some may take the form of trusts, others may be unincorporated associations.

Charities providing services which are supervised activity, only come within the scope of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) if they are providing that service by way of business.  If those services provided are not carried out “by way of business” they are not treated as being within scope of the MLR 2017. The services provided by charities are often free of charge, paid for out of donations, bequests and grants etc.

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)