United Reformed Church Act 2000

10 Gifts which are to take effect as gifts to United Reformed Church

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 21 (Ecumenical churches) of this Act, any provision contained in any settlement, trust deed, deed of covenant, agreement, trust disposition and settlement, will or codicil or any scheme of division of property coming into operation on or after the date of unification and being a provision in favour of, or directed to be administered by, any dissolved association, shall, subject to the provisos hereinafter contained, have effect as a provision in favour of, or to be administered by, the corresponding association of the United Reformed Church but upon, with and subject to such trusts, powers and provisions as are by such settlement, trust deed, deed of covenant, agreement, trust disposition and settlement, will or codicil expressed concerning the same:

Provided that so long as there shall be a separately identifiable Synod of Scotland within the Structure of the United Reformed Church any such provision in favour of the Union or the Annual Assembly of the Union or in favour of any committee, council or other unincorporated association of, or exclusively subsidiary or ancillary to either the Union or the Annual Assembly of the Union shall have effect as a provision in favour of, or to be administered by, the Synod of Scotland or such body or association as shall be nominated by the Synod of Scotland but upon, with and subject to such trusts, powers and provisions as are by such settlement, trust deed, deed of covenant, agreement, trust disposition and settlement, will or codicil expressed concerning the same:

Provided further that if in the case of any provision under this subsection a person or class of persons or a society, institution, recognised body, charity or fund standing in any relation to any dissolved association is an object named in the provision, the object of such provision shall be a person or a class of persons or a society, institution, recognised body, charity or fund standing in a similar relation to the United Reformed Church generally.

(2) In any case to which the preceding subsection applies the receipt for a gift or bequest of the treasurer of the Synod of Scotland or of the clerk of or the treasurer or secretary of the body or association referred to in that subsection shall be an effectual discharge to the trustees or personal representatives concerned and shall exonerate them from being concerned to see to the destination or application of the gift or bequest and from being answerable for the misapplication or non-application thereof.