Part 2Regulation of charities

Chapter 5Assistance and supervision of charities by court and Commission

Directions by Commission

20Power to give specific directions for protection of charity

After section 19 of the 1993 Act insert—

19APower to give specific directions for protection of charity

1

This section applies where, at any time after the Commission has instituted an inquiry under section 8 above with respect to any charity, it is satisfied as mentioned in section 18(1)(a) or (b) above.

2

The Commission may by order direct—

a

the charity trustees,

b

any trustee for the charity,

c

any officer or employee of the charity, or

d

(if a body corporate) the charity itself,

to take any action specified in the order which the Commission considers to be expedient in the interests of the charity.

3

An order under this section—

a

may require action to be taken whether or not it would otherwise be within the powers exercisable by the person or persons concerned, or by the charity, in relation to the administration of the charity or to its property, but

b

may not require any action to be taken which is prohibited by any Act of Parliament or expressly prohibited by the trusts of the charity or is inconsistent with its purposes.

4

Anything done by a person or body under the authority of an order under this section shall be deemed to be properly done in the exercise of the powers mentioned in subsection (3)(a) above.

5

Subsection (4) does not affect any contractual or other rights arising in connection with anything which has been done under the authority of such an order.