Subject to this section a trade union may change its name by any method of doing so expressly provided for by its rules or, if its rules do not expressly provide for a method of doing so, by adopting in accordance with its rules an alteration of the provision in them which gives the union its name.

If the name of a trade union or employers’ association is for the time being entered in the list of trade unions or employers’ associations under section 8 of the M1Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974, a change of its name shall not take effect until approved by the F3Certification Officer under this Act; and the F3Certification Officer shall not approve a change of name if it appears to him that the proposed new name is the same as one entered in either list as the name of another trade union or employers’ association or is a name so nearly resembling such a name as to be likely to deceive the public.

Where a trade union changes its name, the change of name shall not affect any right or obligation of the union or any of its members, and any pending legal proceedings may be continued by or against the trustees of the union or of any other officer of the union who can sue or be sued on its behalf, notwithstanding its change of name.