Access to Information
In the course of its work, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (the Commission) gathers information from all charities in Northern Ireland. This information may include details of trustees, the purposes and activities of the charity, financial information, and documentation such as governing documents, meeting minutes and accounts.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 set out how the public can have access to information held by public authorities. The Data Protection Act 1998 gives legal rights to people who have personal information stored or processed by public authorities, businesses or other organisations. Our Access to information guidance, available below, sets out how you can request information from the Commission.
You may not need to make a specific request to get the information you need. For example, some information may already be publicly accessible to you via the register of charities or other publicly available sources. Our Publication scheme outlines the type of information which the Commission routinely makes available to the public.
Alternatively, we may be able to give you information straight away, for example, by answering a query via email in the course of business.
Requests for information in alternative formats will be considered by the Commission in accordance with its Equality Scheme and Action Plan.
For further information on accessing information held by public authorities you can also refer to the website of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest. The ICO does this by promoting good practice, ruling on complaints, providing information to individuals and organisations, and taking appropriate action when the law is broken.
Freedom of information: request form