Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

Appeals against decisions of Commission

147.—(1) A person who, in relation to a public charitable collection, has duly notified the Commission of the matters mentioned in section 136(3) may appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction against a decision of the Commission under section 136(4)—

(a) that the collection is not a local, short-term collection, or

(b) that the promoters or any of them has breached any such provision, or been convicted of any such offence, as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection.

(2) A person who has duly applied to the Commission for a permit to conduct a public charitable collection may appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction against a decision of the Commission under section 144—

(a) to refuse to issue a permit, or

(b) to attach any condition to it.

(3) A person to whom a permit has been issued may appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction against a decision of the Commission under section 146—

(a) to withdraw the permit,

(b) to attach a condition to the permit, or

(c) to vary an existing condition of the permit.

(4) An appeal under subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be by way of complaint under Part 8 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 26).

(5) Any such appeal shall be brought within 14 days of the date of service on the person in question of the relevant notice under section 136(4), section 144(5) or (as the case may be) section 146(7); and for the purposes of this section an appeal shall be taken to be brought when the complaint is made.

(6) On an appeal under this section, the court may confirm, vary or reverse the Commission’s decision and generally give such directions as it thinks fit, having regard to the provisions of this Chapter and of any regulations under section 148.

(7) On an appeal against a decision of the Commission under section 136(4), directions under subsection (6) may include a direction that the collection may be conducted—

(a) on the date or dates notified in accordance with section 136(3)(b), or

(b) on such other date or dates as may be specified in the direction;

and if so conducted the collection is to be regarded as one that is an exempt collection by virtue of section 136.

(8) It shall be the duty of the Commission to comply with any directions given by the court under subsection (6); but the Commission need not comply with any directions given by a court of summary jurisdiction—

(a) until the time for bringing an appeal against the court’s decision has expired, or

(b) if such an appeal is duly brought, until the determination or abandonment of the appeal.