CIO constitution updates

Phase 3 of the Charities Act 2022 (the Act) is expected to come into effect in early 2024. In preparation for the changes the Act will bring into force, the Charity Commission has updated its model constitutions to be used by both association and foundation charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) from 1 November 2023 onwards.

Revised model documents

Those who are considering registering a CIO with the Charity Commission (or have an application in progress that has not been submitted) need to ensure that they use the updated clause in the revised model documents relating to how changes are made to the CIO’s constitution.

The Charity Commission will not accept registrations of new CIOs from 1 November 2023 onwards, where the updated clause has not been inserted.

You can find the required wording and the Charity Commission’s updated model documents here.

CIOs can continue to adopt constitutions which amend the Charity Commission’s model, provided that they include the Charity Commission’s preferred wording relating to how changes to the constitution are implemented.

If you have any questions on the Charity Commission’s model documents, or the changes that the Charities Act 2022 will bring, please contact Samantha Pritchard, partner in our charities team on 0191 211 7905 or email [email protected]