# Third set of changes to Charities Act 2022 come into force

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/03/08/third-set-of-changes-to-charities-act-2022-come-into-force/
- Published: 2024-03-08T08:00:00+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**A new power that makes it easier for unincorporated charities to change their 
governing document, as well as new rules for gifts left to merged charities are 
the latest changes introduced by the Charities Act 2022. **

#### New power for unincorporated charities

The new power for unincorporated charities means that amending governing documents
should now be simpler and that it follows the same process as other types of charities.
Charities will still require the Charity Commission’s authority before certain amendments,
such as changes to a charity’s purposes, take effect.

Trustees who have already applied to change their governing document do not need
to resubmit their application as it will be assessed under the previous rules. The
Commission advises trustees who are currently considering a change to their governing
document to read through the updated guidance to understand the new legal requirements
and process to follow.

## Advertisement

#### Support for merged charities on gifts

The other change is designed to help trustees of charities that have merged feel
able to close their charity knowing that most gifts, such as legacies, should pass
to the merged charity.

Other changes, which had previously been delayed, have come into force, including
those that apply to charity-to-charity land disposals.

This marks the third point at which Charities Act 2022 provisions have come into
force. Changes have already been introduced to make the process easier when charities
dispose of land, or spend or borrow from their permanent endowment.

Aarti Thakor, Director of Legal & Accountancy Services at the Charity Commission
said:

> “As with all changes introduced so far, these latest powers are designed to make
> things easier for charities, where it is possible to do so.
>  
> “We encourage trustees to check what, if any, changes apply to them and then use
> our guidance to support them through the new processes.
>  
> “Anyone who has already applied to change their governing document doesn’t need
> to worry about re-applying.”

[The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)’s implementation plan](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charities-act-2022-implementation-plan#provisions-of-the-act-expected-to-come-into-force-in-june-2023)
sets out how provisions of the Charities Act 2022 are being introduced. [Guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charities-act-2022-guidance-for-charities)
is available to help trustees with the changes.

 * **[Fundraising Regulator reports 97% of increased levy on charities has been paid](https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/02/06/fundraising-regulator-reports-97-of-increased-levy-on-charities-has-been-paid/)**(
   6 February 2025)
 * **[Institute Disappointed By Delay To Fundraising Regulation In The Charities Act](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/12/06/institute-disappointed-delay-fundraising-regulation-charities-act/)**(
   6 December 2006)
 * **[Should fundraisers strike? Why fundraisers need a collective voice](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/07/14/should-fundraisers-strike/)**(
   14 July 2015)