Modernising charity law : recent developments and future directions

Abstract

In recent years the pressure for charity law reform has swept across the common law
jurisdictions with differing results. Modernising Charity Law examines how the UK
jurisdictions have enacted significant statutory reforms after many years of debate,
whilst the federations of Canada and Australia seem merely to have intentions of
reform. New Zealand and Singapore have begun their own reform journeys. This
highly insightful book brings together perspectives from academics, regulators and
practitioners from across the common law jurisdictions. The expert contributors consider the array of reforms to charity law and assess their relative successes. Particular attention is given to the controversial issues of expanded heads of charity, public benefit, religion, competition with business, government participation and regulation. The book concludes by challenging the very notion of charity as a foundation for societies which, faced by an array of global threats and the rising tide of human rights, must now also embrace the expanding notions of social capital, social entrepreneurism and civil society.

This original and highly topical work will be a valuable resource for academics, regulators and legal practitioners as well as advanced and postgraduate students in law and public policy. Specialists in charity law, comparative law, and law and public policy should also not be without this important book.