Editing Charitable trust (section)

==United Kingdom==
{{main|Charitable trusts in English law}}
In England and Wales, charitable trusts represent a form of express trust dedicated to charitable goals. There are several advantages to charitable trust status, including exemption from most forms of taxation and freedom for the trustees that is not found in other types of English trusts.<ref name=hud1004>Hudson (2009), p. 1004.</ref> For a charitable trust to be considered valid, the organization must demonstrate both a charitable purpose and a public benefit.<ref>Edwards (2007), p. 205.</ref> Applicable charitable purposes are typically divided into four categories: trusts for relieving poverty, trusts for promoting education, trusts for advancing religion, and all other types of trusts recognized by the law. This also includes trusts for the benefit of animals and trusts for the benefit of a locality. Additionally, there is a requirement that the trust's purposes benefit the public or a specific section of the public, rather than merely a group of private individuals.<ref>Edwards (2007), p. 206.</ref>

Several circumstances render such trusts invalid. Charitable trusts are prohibited from operating for profit,<ref>Edwards (2007), p. 211.</ref> and their purposes cannot be non-charitable unless these purposes are ancillary to the charitable goal.<ref>Edwards (2007), p. 229.</ref> Furthermore, it is deemed unacceptable for charitable trusts to engage in campaigns for political or legal change. However, discussing political issues in a neutral manner is permissible.<ref>Edwards (2007), p. 217.</ref> Charitable trusts, like other trusts, are administered by trustees, but there is no direct relationship between the trustees and the beneficiaries.<ref name=hud1004/> This results in two key points: first, the trustees of a charitable trust have greater freedom to act than other trustees, and secondly, beneficiaries cannot take legal action against the trustees. Instead, the beneficiaries are represented by the [[Attorney General for England and Wales]] in their capacity as ''[[parens patriae]]'', appearing on behalf of [[The Crown]].<ref>Edwards (2007), p. 233.</ref>

The jurisdiction over charitable disputes is equally shared between the [[High Court of Justice]] and the [[Charity Commission for England and Wales|Charity Commission]].<ref name=ed236>Edwards (2007), p. 236.</ref> The Commission, being the primary authority, is responsible for regulating and promoting charitable trusts. It also provides advice and opinions to trustees on administrative matters.<ref>Dollimore (2007), p. 155.</ref> In cases where the Commission detects mismanagement or maladministration, it has the authority to take actions against the trustees. This includes their removal, the appointment of new trustees, or even temporarily assuming control of the trust property to prevent harm.<ref name=ed236/> In instances where there are issues with a charity, the High Court can implement schemes that dictate the functioning of the charity.<ref>Edwards (2007), p. 239.</ref>