 The cy @-@ près doctrine is the idea that , where a charitable trust 's purposes are impossible or cannot be fulfilled for whatever reason , the funds should be reapplied to purposes as close as possible to the trust 's original goals . This is done through a formal application by the trustees , either to the High Court of Justice or the Charity Commission . This doctrine originated in ecclesiastical law , the name coming as a contraction of the Norman French cy près comme possible ( as close as possible ) , It was originally justified in an ecclesiastical way ; charitable gifts were provided to secure entry into heaven , and if the charitable gift failed , this would not be guaranteed . If it was re @-@ purposed , however , entry would be granted . The local bishop , therefore , would usually simply apply the gift to the nearest possible purpose to the testator 's original goals . 
