Friendly Societies Act 1974

Part I U.K. Provisions Applicable to all Societies

1 U.K. The name of the society.

2 U.K. The place which is to be the registered office of the society, to which all communications and notices may be addressed.

3 (1) Subject to [F1 sub-paragraphs (2) and (3)] below, the whole of the objects for which the society is to be established, the purposes for which the funds thereof shall be applicable, the terms of admission of members, the conditions under which any member may become entitled to any benefit assured by the society, and F2 . . . forfeitures to be imposed on any member and the consequences of non-payment of any subscription F2 . . .. U.K.

(2) Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) above shall require the inclusion in the rules of a registered society of tables relating to the benefits payable to or in respect of any members of the society in pursuance of [F3 group insurance business].

[F4 (3) Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) above shall prevent a registered friendly society from specifying in its rules the manner in which the conditions under which any member may become entitled to any benefit assured by the society are to be determined, instead of specifying the conditions themselves.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 2 para. 3(1) substituted (1.1.1994) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 95, Sch. 16 para. 51(1)(a) (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/2213, art. 2, Sch. 6.

F2 Words in Sch. 2 para. 3(1) repealed (1.1.1994) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), ss. 95, 120(2), Sch. 16 para. 51(1)(a), Sch. 22 Pt. I (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/2213, art. 2, Sch. 6 appendix.

F3 Words in Sch. 2 para. 3(2) substituted (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 49(a) (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F4 Sch. 2 para. 3(3) inserted (1.1.1994) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 95, Sch. 16 para. 51(1)(b) (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/2213, art. 2, Sch. 6.

4 U.K. The mode of holding meetings and right of voting, and the manner of making, altering or rescinding rules.

5 U.K. The appointment and removal of a committee of management (by whatever name), of a treasurer and other officers and of trustees and, in the case of a society with branches, the composition and powers of the central body and the conditions under which a branch may secede from the society.

6 U.K. The investment of the funds, the keeping of the accounts and the audit of the accounts at least once a year.

7 U.K. Annual returns to the [F5 FCA] relating to the affairs and numbers of members of the society.

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in Sch. 2 para. 7 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Mutual Societies) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/496), art. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 2(1)(a)(2)(x) (with Sch. 12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 By Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 95, Sch. 16 para. 51(2) (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/2213, art. 2, Sch. 6, it is provided that paras. 7, 12 and 15 shall cease to have effect (1.1.1994) in relation to registered friendly societies.

8 U.K. The inspection of the books of the society by every person having an interest in the funds of the society.

9 U.K. The manner in which disputes shall be settled.

10 U.K. In the case of dividing societies, a provision for meeting all claims upon the society existing at the time of division before any such division takes place.

11 (1) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that nothing in paragraph 3 above requires the rules of a society to contain tables in accordance with which obligations to provide benefits to members have been undertaken or policies of assurance have been issued by the society, if the rules of the society provide that no further obligations may be undertaken or (as the case may be) no further policies may be issued in accordance with any such tables. U.K.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (1) above and sub-paragraph (3) below, the tables which the rules of a registered society are required to contain by virtue of paragraph 3 above and any tables contained in the rules of a branch shall, in the case of a society or branch which proposes to carry on long-term business F6 . . ., be tables which, in so far as they relate to that business, have been certified by a qualified actuary.

[F7 (2A) In sub-paragraph (2) “long-term business” has the meaning given by section 117(2) of the Friendly Societies Act 1992.]

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) above does not apply—

(a) to a society first registered before 26th July 1968, nor

(b) to a branch of such a society, nor

(c) to a society formed by the amalgamation of two or more such societies.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in Sch. 2 para. 11(2) repealed (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, art. 190(1)(2)

F7 Sch. 2 para. 11(2A) inserted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, art. 190(1)(3)