We carry out statutory inquiries to identify and investigate concerns about the most serious cases of non compliance and abuse in charities. This is likely to be where the regulatory issue in itself is serious and in circumstances where there is evidence or serious suspicion of misconduct or mismanagement or where the risk to the charity or to public confidence in charity more generally is high. This will include where charity assets, services or beneficiaries are at serious and/or immediate and high risk of abuse or harm.

The criteria we use when considering opening an investigation are set out in section G4 of the Application of the Charity Commission’s Risk Framework.

Our priority is always to ensure trustees meet their legal duties and requirements, stop the abuse or non-compliance and take robust remedial and protective action where this is appropriate and proportionate to do so.

Our general approach in carrying out investigative work is explained further in our guidance for staff OG 117 How the Commission deals with investigations work.

Our guidance Statutory Inquiries into Charities is to help charities and their advisers understand what it means when the Commission opens a statutory inquiry.

Our policy is to publish the results of our statutory inquiries in the form of a statement of results of the inquiry.