Interim Managers appointed to Legal Action
The Charity Commission has appointed Interim Managers to the charity Legal Action registered charity number 1100780.
The Charity Commission has appointed Interim Managers to the charity Legal Action (registered charity number 1100780).
The regulator has appointed Interim Managers to the charity Legal Action, also known under the working name Charles Henry & Co.
On 9 April 2015 the commission, the charity regulator, used its powers under the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’) to appoint Paul Ridout and Con Alexander of Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP as joint Interim Managers of the charity. The trustees were informed at the time. The appointment is a temporary and protective measure. The Interim Managers have been appointed to act, jointly and severally, in the administration of the charity, having all the powers and duties of the trustees to the exclusion of the trustees.
An inquiry was opened into the charity in August 2014. Since then, the charity has also failed to comply with the commission’s Order, made under section 84 of the Act, which directed the charity to provide the regulator with legally compliant accounts, policies and procedures and information about the activities of the charity. Additionally, High Court orders have been made against the charity, including a general civil restraint order.
The Interim Managers’ tasks include:
- taking over the management and control of the administration of the charity and its property
- reviewing any on-going activities
- bringing to an end any inappropriate activities
- reviewing the charity’s finances, and
- reporting on all these matters to the commission and making recommendations as to the future operation of the charity and the application of its property
The Interim Managers would be pleased to hear from anyone who has had dealings with Legal Action or Charles Henry or Charles Henry & Co (whether or not in the context of court proceedings) and who has any information which is or may be relevant to their Interim Managership. They can be contacted by email PRidout@VWV.CO.UK/ CAlexander@VWV.CO.UK.
It is the commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were. Reports of previous inquiries by the commission are available on GOV.UK.
The charity’s details can be viewed on the commission’s online charity search tool.
Ends
PR31/15
Notes to editors
- The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales.
- Our mission is to be the independent registrar and regulator of charities in England and Wales, acting in the public’s interest, to ensure that: * charities know what they have to do * the public know what charities do * charities are held to account
- For further information about the opening of the inquiry, see our public statement on the commissions website.
- Section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 gives the commission the power to institute inquiries. The opening of an inquiry gives the commission access to a range of protective and remedial powers. Section 76(3)(g) of the Act is temporary and protective power available to the commission after an inquiry has been opened to appoint an Interim Manager. This role is supervised by the commission in accordance with section 78 of the Act.
- For details about general civil restraint orders, see https://www.gov.uk/civil-restraint-orders- - 2.
- The commission’s decision to announce the opening of a statutory inquiry and the appointment of Interim Managers is based on whether it is in the public interest to do so and with consideration of our objective to increase public trust and confidence in charities.
Read more information on the commission’s policy and factors taken into account when deciding to issue a press release.
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