The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the new independent regulator of charities in Northern Ireland. The Commission is a non-departmental public body, established by Royal Assent in March 2009, to deliver the legislative requirements of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.  The Commission is sponsored by the Department for Social Development (DSD) and has a number of legal functions where it uses powers similar to those of the High Court.

The Commission has a crucial role to play in the development of charities, enabling them to meet modern expectations and obligations. It is essential that the Commission enables charities to operate in a climate of trust and respect by providing firm and fair regulation in which the public can have confidence. The Commission therefore aims to develop a regulatory framework which is not only about intervention and strong governance, but which over the longer term establishes standards and promotes good practice across the sector.

Our Governance Framework will explain how we work to fulfill our vision, mission and values whilst remaining independent. It will also explain what Members of the Commission do to ensure the ways they carry out their public duties are not (or do not appear to be) influenced by their private interests. Further information on the governance of the Commission is available on our Governance page.