The Scottish Government has published for public discussion draft regulations on the new Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIO’s).

As part of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, SCIO’s are being introduced to provide limited liability without the charity becoming a company, therefore avoiding company law and dual regulation.

The published draft, which follows a series of detailed consultations, will provide the backbone for SCIO regulations and if passed by the end of 2010, could be introduced in early 2011.

SCIOs will be regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). The regulations include details of registration, membership transfers, meeting requirements, name and status changes and removal from the register.

A series of public meetings will be held from the end of October until early November to discuss the regulations and comments are being sought before 26 November.