Notes:

Very comprehensive website with information how to set up a charity, legal guidance, and a database of all registered charities. Also has specialist guidance section specifically aimed at small groups wanting to become charities.

The Charity Commission is now part of the GOV.uk site, which can make it difficult to search for the information you need. They advise you to:

• always include ‘charity commission’ in your search terms, eg ‘report serious incident charity commission’


• enter your search term, then select ‘Charity Commission’ from the drop down list of ‘Organisations’ on the search results page

Some specific guidance you may find useful:

• Information on the regulations about accounts and reporting for registered charities


• Guidance on the forms of insurance available to charity trustees, highlighting the importance of risk assessment


• Model governing documents for charities, including unincorporated associations and small charities


• Guidance about trustee conflicts of interest, including employing trustees


• Enquiries form