Getting started - what you need to do before you can register

A charitable trust may be established by individuals or by an unincorporated society to benefit a charitable cause of their choosing.  Registration of the board provides for perpetual succession.  This means that the board can administer the trust property on a continuous basis over time.  It is not subject to the rule against perpetuities which brings an unregistered trust board to an end after eighty years.

Before deciding to register as a charitable trust board you should determine whether a board is the appropriate corporate entity for you or your group to achieve its purposes and objectives. 

You should discuss the nature of your proposed activities with your solicitor who will be able to provide you with advice in relation to this.

Depending on the advice of your solicitor, the other usual steps leading up to incorporation include:

• Choosing a name for the board
• Preparing a trust deed or, in the case of society incorporating as a board - a set of rules
• Completing your application.