Jersey Charity Law Developments

Jersey's Chief Minister's Department (the 'Department') has launched a consultation on whether a new Charities Law for Jersey should be developed to provide a legal and regulatory framework for charities operating in Jersey.

Jersey does not currently have a statute specifically governing charities, in the way that the Charities Act 2011 does in England and Wales, nor a regulatory body like the Charity Commission supervising charities' activities and maintaining a Register of Charities.

The Department suggests that a new Charities Law would introduce:

• a 'charities test', which would set out a qualifying definition for charitable status; and
• 'light-touch, proportionate regulation', which would involve the establishment of a Charity Commissioner to regulate Jersey's charities and maintain a Charities Register.