Updated June 2026

Disputes can arise within a charity or between a charity and others, such as members, officers, staff, volunteers or third parties. If not managed well, disputes can harm a charity’s operations, reputation and relationships.

Officers should act promptly and in the best interests of the charity to minimise any negative impact.

Have clear dispute resolution processes 

Your charity should have written policies or procedures for resolving disputes and complaints. These may be included in your rules or set out in a separate policy.

Clear procedures help disputes to be resolved early and internally and reduce the risk of escalation.

Most disputes are managed by charities 

Most disputes are operational matters that charities manage themselves using their rules, policies and processes.

Charities Services is unlikely to be involved in disputes about:

• contracts or commercial arrangements

• employment or staffing matters

• service delivery

• decisions made by officers that are lawful and within the charity’s rules.

We cannot overrule decisions made by officers within their powers simply because others disagree with them. Setting policy is a core responsibility of officers.

When to contact Charities Services 

You should use all reasonable options to resolve a dispute before contacting Charities Services.

You may wish to contact us if the dispute involves:

• a possible breach of the Charities Act 2005 (the Act)

• serious wrongdoing in connection with a registered charity

• concerns that may affect the charity’s registration.

If you make a complaint, you must provide it in writing with supporting evidence. 

When Charities Services may take action 

We may consider regulatory action where there is evidence that:

• a charity no longer meets the requirements for registration

• the Act has been breached

• serious wrongdoing has occurred.

Our response depends on the circumstances, the level of risk and the available evidence. Actions range from education and guidance through to enforcement and, in serious cases, removal from the Charities Register.

Getting help from outside the charity 

If internal processes are unclear or not working, it may help to involve an independent person or organisation, such as:

• a regional or national body

• a respected community member

• a Community Law Centre, lawyer, mediator or arbitrator

• a relevant tribunal or government agency.

We recommend seeking independent professional advice for employment disputes, contractual issues or property‑related matters.