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← Charities Act 1994

Charities Act 1994 s 19

s 19 Occasions for applying property cy-près

19.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the circumstances in which the original purposes of a charitable gift can be altered to allow the property given or part of it to be applied cy‑près are as follows:(a) where the original purposes, in whole or in part —(i) have been as far as may be fulfilled; (ii) cannot be carried out; or (iii) cannot be carried out according to the directions given and to the spirit of the gift; (b) where the original purposes provide a use for part only of the property available by virtue of the gift; (c) where the property available by virtue of the gift and other property applicable for similar purposes can be more effectively used in conjunction and to that end can suitably, regard being had to the spirit of the gift, be made applicable to common purposes; (d) where the original purposes were laid down by reference to an area which then was but has since ceased to be a unit for some other purpose, or by reference to a class of persons or to an area which has for any reason since ceased to be suitable, regard being had to the spirit of the gift, or to be practical in administering the gift; or (e) where the original purposes, in whole or in part, have, since they were laid down —(i) been adequately provided for by other means; (ii) ceased, as being useless or harmful to the community or for other reasons, to be in law charitable; or (iii) ceased in any other way to provide a suitable and effective method of using the property available by virtue of the gift, regard being had to the spirit of the gift. (2) Subsection (1) does not affect the conditions which must be satisfied in order that property given for charitable purposes may be applied cy‑près, except insofar as those conditions require a failure of the original purposes. (3) References in subsections (1) and (2) to the original purposes of a gift are to be construed, where the application of the property given has been altered or regulated by a scheme or otherwise, as referring to the purposes for which the property is for the time being applicable. (4) It is declared that a trust for charitable purposes places a trustee under a duty, where the case permits and requires the property or some part of it to be applied cy‑près, to secure its effective use for charity by taking steps to enable it to be so applied. (5) This section applies to property given for charitable purposes, even though it was so given before 1 January 1995.[21

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Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. Read the official text ↗

Source: Singapore Statutes Online (Attorney-General's Chambers), © Government of Singapore.

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