Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)

The Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) is a new legal form, designed exclusively for Scottish charities, which will allow them to incorporate without having to become companies or industrial and provident societies.

From April 1 2011, new charities will be able to be formed as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, (SCIO), with existing charitable companies and industrial and provident societies able to convert to SCIO status from January 1, 2012.

The Guidance includes sections on:

• What is a SCIO?
• Is becoming a SCIO the right choice?
• Setting up a new SCIO
• How does an existing charity become a SCIO?
• Duties and requirements of a SCIO.

While OSCR  can advise on the application process and meeting their requirements, they are unable to help organisations with setting up a SCIO and the OSCR website suggests various organisations for charities to go for further assistance: in Shetland this would be Voluntary Action Shetland.

The OSCR Guide for Charities and their advisers on Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations can be downloaded here.