Friendly Societies Act 1974

103 Legal proceedings concerning registered societies, etc. U.K.

(1) The trustees of a registered society or branch, or any officers authorised by the rules thereof, may bring or defend, or cause to be brought or defended, any action or other legal proceedings in any court whatsoever, touching or concerning any property, right or claim of the society or branch, and may sue and be sued in their proper names, without any other description than the title of their office.

(2) In legal proceedings brought under this Act by a member or person claiming through a member, a registered society or branch may also be sued in the name, as defendant or defender, of any officer or person who receives contributions or issues policies on behalf of the society or branch within the jurisdiction of the court in which the legal proceedings are brought, with the addition of the words “ on behalf of the society or branch ” (naming the same).

(3) Legal proceedings shall not abate or be discontinued by the death, resignation or removal from office, of any officer, or by any act of any officer after the commencement of the proceedings.

(4) The summons, writ, process or other proceeding to be issued to or against the officer or other person sued on behalf of a registered society or branch shall be sufficiently served by personally serving that officer or other person or by leaving a true copy thereof at the registered office of the society or branch, or at any place of business of the society or branch within the jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is brought, or if that office or place of business is closed, by posting the copy on the outer door of that office or place of business.

(5) In any case where any such summons, writ, process or other proceeding as is mentioned in subsection (4) above is not served in one of the ways specified in that subsection, it shall be served by sending a copy thereof in a letter sent by registered post or by the recorded delivery service addressed to the committee at the registered office of the society or branch and posted at least six days before any further step is taken in the proceedings.

(6) Where proceedings are taken against a society or branch for the recovery of any fine under this Act the summons or other process shall be sufficiently served by leaving a true copy thereof at the registered office of the society or branch or at any place of business of the society or branch which is within the jurisdiction of the court in which the proceedings are brought or, if that office or place of business is closed, by posting the copy on the outer door of that office or place of business.

(7) Where the person against whom any proceedings are to be taken is himself a trustee of a society or branch, the proceedings may be brought by the other trustees or trustee of the society or branch.