Failed legacies - cy-près scheme or Royal Sign Manual direction?

In a situation where there is doubt as to the application of a legacy in a will, and any form of Trust has been created to administer the gift, an application for a cy-près scheme should be made to the Commission.  For more information, visit the Requesting a scheme section of the website.

If the application of a legacy in a will is in doubt, and no Trust has been created, an application for a Royal Sign Manual direction should be made to the Department for Communities.

Royal Sign Manual is the signature of the monarch. Directions disposing of charitable gifts were signed by the Queen until 3 May 1986 when she delegated her power to dispose of charitable gifts to the Attorney General for England and Wales. 

In Northern Ireland, under section 23(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as respects transferred matters, the prerogative and executive powers of His Majesty are exercisable on His Majesty’s behalf by any Minister or Northern Ireland department.  In charity matters, a Royal Sign Manual direction is made by the Minister or Department for Communities. 

The application for a Royal Sign Manual direction should be sent to the address below (please note that the Department will, in every case, need a sealed copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration with copy will attached):

Department for Communities
Charities Team
Voluntary and Community Unit
Level 3
Lighthouse Building
1 Cromac Place
Gasworks Business Park
Ormeau Road
Belfast  BT7 2JB

For further contact details, visit The Charities Team (external link) section of the Department for Communities website.