As charity lawyers, we have long advocated a new constitution for charities that would avoid dual regulation. We had begun to think it would never happen, what with hefty cutbacks at the Charity Commission and difficulties over the detail. But, after much delay, the Minister for Civil Society has now announced that the first CIOs should be established 'from Spring 2011'. Some of us will only believe it when we see it, but it is time for an update.

We recognise that CIOs will probably not suit those of you that are already established as companies, but it should certainly interest those that are unincorporated, especially if personal liability is a worry to you.

If you would like to know more, clicking here to view our latest factsheet. Since it was prepared we have learned that the Charity Commission reckons to publish its model CIO constitutions in January 2011. So it really does sound as though things are beginning to move. But any lawyer will want to take a good look at those models before drafting a CIO constitution.