How an organisation is set up is known as its legal structure. There are many different legal structures to choose from. Choosing the right one is important as it will affect how your organisation works in terms of:
- who will run it
- whether it can enter into contracts or employ staff in its own name
- who will be liable for what the organisation does.
An organisation’s legal structure is either unincorporated or incorporated. This determines if the organisation is viewed as being separate from those that run it.
Types of legal structure include:
- Unincorporated Association
- Charitable Trust
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
- Community Interest Company
- Community Benefit Society
- Co-operative Society
There are other legal structures less commonly used by charities and more often associated with organisations with non-charitable purposes.
More information can be found at:
https://www.ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/setting-up/choosing-your-legal-structure/#/
To contact Links for free advice on this matter please complete the following questionnaire: Advice Questionnaire. This service is for groups operating in Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire only.
