Friendly Societies Act 1992

25 (1) Section 76 shall be amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a) for the words “section 77 below” there shall be substituted the words “subsection (3A) below”; and

(b) in paragraphs (c) to (e) the words “or branch” shall be omitted in each place where they occur.

(3) For subsection (3) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

“(3A) This section does not apply to a dispute if—

(a) the registered society concerned is a registered friendly society; or

(b) the registered branch concerned is a branch of a registered friendly society.

(3B) The county court or, in Scotland, the sheriff may hear and determine a dispute falling within subsection (1) above if the parties agree that it shall be so determined instead of being determined under the rules.”

(4) In subsection (4), at the end of paragraph (b) there shall be added the words “; and

(c) does not include a dispute between the parties mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) above which has arisen as a result of and incidentally to a dispute between a member, or a person aggrieved who has ceased to be a member, of a registered society or branch and a person claiming through him or under the rules of the registered society or branch.”