Government to consult on the Trust Registration Service

Consultation to be launched this spring.
14 Feb 24
A dinghy is sailing in front of Budworth Sailing Club.

Last year, several important legal questions remained to be resolved regarding what the Trust Registration Service (TRS) requirements meant for organisations in the sports sector. The RYA worked with the Sport & Recreation Alliance to seek advice from King’s Counsel to provide a more definitive legal opinion on these questions. 

Alongside this, we assisted the Sport & Recreation Alliance in writing to HM Treasury ministers to outline the sector’s concerns over the potential impact of TRS requirements on sports organisations and to seek the opportunity to explore further options for reform. 

Spring consultation 

Following this engagement, we have recently been made aware that the Government intends to consult in the first quarter of this year on potential changes to the regulations underpinning TRS. A key part of this consultation will be to ensure that the scope of TRS is effectively targeted and, as part of this, officials have committed to taking further representations from sport on the application of TRS to our sector.  

Going forward

Clubs may consider refraining from registering with the TRS until the outcome of the consultation is known. 

Once the consultation is live, we would encourage all unincorporated clubs to respond. We will provide a further update on the consultation once a date has been announced. 

Further information 

The RYA has produced detailed and downloadable guidance for affiliated clubs on the TRS, please download a copy of the RYA TRS Guidance Note. This guidance explains what the TRS requirements mean for unincorporated associations and how organisations should assess the application of TRS requirements to their specific circumstances. 

If you are part of an affiliated club and have any questions regarding this, please email the RYA Legal team

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