The Charity Tribunal for Northern Ireland has raised serious questions about whether it holds any statutory jurisdiction to hear an appeal brought by two women against a decision by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland relating to the charity Relatives for Justice Limited.

Pauline Fitzpatrick and Tina Barrett filed their appeal on 28 April 2026, challenging a Charity Commission decision dated 1 April 2026. The appellants described the decision as a response to findings from the Victims and Crimes Commissioner and sought to have findings - that harm had been caused to beneficiaries and employees - formally recorded on the Commission's system.

The Charity Commission, however, characterised its own decision differently. In correspondence to the Tribunal dated 5 May 2026, the Commission described the decision as one to issue self-regulatory guidance following three concerns raised in relation to Relatives for Justice Limited. The Commission then applied to the Tribunal for a direction on whether it had jurisdiction to hear the appeal, arguing that issuing self-regulatory guidance is not a decision type listed in Column 1 of Schedule 3 to the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 - the provision which specifies which Commission decisions may be appealed to the Tribunal.

On 13 May 2026, the Commission's legal adviser, along with two colleagues, met with the appellants and advised them that the subject of their appeal was not appealable to the Tribunal under the Act. Despite that advice, the appellants confirmed they wished to continue. The appellants were also accompanied at that meeting by a third party, Áine McCabe, who is not a named appellant. In correspondence to the Tribunal dated 14 May 2026, the appellants referred to three statements - from Fitzpatrick, Jim McCabe, and Áine McCabe - which they said had been submitted with their appeal as accounts of events, though the Tribunal noted no such statements were enclosed with the original Notice of Appeal, only a bundle of documents.

In directions issued on 15 May 2026 and signed by D. McMahon, President of the Charity Tribunal for Northern Ireland, the Tribunal directed the appellants to provide written submissions within 14 days addressing a series of questions. These include identifying the specific statutory basis for their appeal, clarifying whether either appellant claims to be a charity trustee of Relatives for Justice Limited or a person otherwise affected by the Commission's decision, identifying the precise decision being challenged, and confirming that no other persons have lodged a purported appeal.

The Tribunal also strongly urged the appellants to seek legal representation from someone experienced in Northern Ireland charity law, noting that the Tribunal itself cannot act as advocate or adviser to either party. The Tribunal further warned that it may strike out or dismiss the appeal if it discloses no reasonable grounds or if the appellants fail to comply with the directions without reasonable excuse, under Rules 5 and 6 of the Charity Tribunal (Northern Ireland) Rules 2010.

The Charity Commission has been directed to provide a written submission within 21 days of the directions, responding to whatever the appellants submit. The Tribunal indicated it will then consider whether to hold a pre-hearing review or a preliminary hearing to resolve any outstanding questions of fact or law.