The new Charity Tribunal has been officially launched, allowing charities to challenge legal decisions from the Charity Commission without going to the High Court. Cases can be taken to the Tribunal with immediate effect.

The president of the Tribunal Alison McKenna, who was appointed in February, said: "The Charity Tribunal will provide an easier, cheaper route for charitable organisations, particularly smaller ones, to independently challenge decisions of the Charity Commission. It will be unique among the Tribunals Service tribunals as it will also have the power to consider questions of charity law referred to it by either the Attorney General or the Charity Commission. The Attorney General will also be able to intervene in any case to argue in the interests of the general public."

Dame Suzi Leather, chair of the Charity Commission, said: “The introduction of the Charity Tribunal is an important milestone for the third sector. It means that once the Commission has reviewed a decision internally, charities and other people affected by the decision can have confidence that they will get an independent hearing at the Charity Tribunal. It is an important part of the Charities Act and we look forward to the challenges and opportunities its introduction will provide. "