Organisations and legal structure

This guide explains formal legal structures available to volunteering groups and outlines key considerations when deciding whether and how to establish a legal entity. It explores common structures and the implications for governance, risk and accountability.

The resource supports Volunteering Involving Organisations to understand legal responsibilities, benefits and risks associated with different organisational structures, helping groups make informed decisions that align with their purpose and activities.

Benefits for volunteer managers

• supports understanding of legal structures and obligations.
• helps assess risks associated with different organisational arrangements.
• supports informed decision making about governance and accountability.
• helps organisations plan for sustainability and compliance.

How to apply this resource

This guide is most useful when establishing a new volunteering group, reviewing governance arrangements, or considering changes to an organisation’s legal structure.