The charity sector has faced many challenges in recent times which have had a particular impact on fundraising and service continuity. Additionally, the establishment of the Charities Regulator, increasing regulatory and funding requirements, and the long-awaited enactment of the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024 herald a period of significant changes to the sector in Ireland.

This course, which represents a collaboration between the Law Society of Ireland and The Wheel, Ireland’s national charity association, provides practitioners and those working in charitable, social enterprise and community organisations with an overview of the law and best practice in the relevant areas. The course has a very practical emphasis and will equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain integrity and uphold standards.

The Certificate in Charity Law, Trusteeship and Governance programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below.

Module 1: Introduction 

• Recent trends in the charity sector in Ireland
• Regulation of charities and the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024
• The legal framework & legal structures for charities. 

Module 2: Finance & Fundraising 

• Legislative framework for fundraising
• Regulation of & best practice for fundraising
• Financial reporting: Statutory requirements
• Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). 

Module 3: Governance 

• Charities Regulator’s Charities Governance Code
• Implementation and related issues
• Risk assessments and managing risk. 

Module 4: Strategy and management 

• Management, human resource and volunteer policies
• Charities & corporate governance
• Data protection issues
• Employment law
• Outcomes approach
• Procurement and tendering. 

Dates & Times:

• Friday 07/03/25 (9.30am–3.30pm)
• Saturday 08/03/25 (10am–3.30pm)
• Friday 04/04/25 (9.30- 2.00pm)
• Saturday 05/04/25 (10.00am– 4.00pm) 
• Friday 09/05/25 (9.30am-12.40pm) 
• Saturday 10/05/25 (10.00am-4.00pm)
• Friday 06/06/25 (9.30am–11.30am)
• Saturday 07/06/25 (10.00am–2.15pm).

Our learning approach and the use of an online forum ensure that attendees can learn both from lecturers and from the knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer aspect that is encouraged in interactive sessions 

Members of The Wheel receive a 10% discount on course fees. 

Find out more here. Alternatively, you can email Course Leader Suzanne Crilly, Solicitor, at s.crilly@lawsociety.ie.