Four more organisations have been permitted to give evidence at the Charity Tribunal hearing on the public benefit of benevolent funds.

The Henry Smith Charity, the BT Benevolent Fund, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Benevolent Fund and the Stock Exchange Benevolent Fund will all speak at the hearing, which has been scheduled for 14-17 November at the Rolls Building in London.

The Western Gazette Benevolent Fund will also now submit written evidence.

In total, 10 organisations will give evidence at the hearing, while 18 will give written evidence. The Charity Commission will also speak as an interested party.

The hearing was brought by the Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC MP (pictured) to consider if the Charities Act 2006 has removed the presumption of public benefit for certain types of benevolent fund which have a limited pool of beneficiaries.