The parties to a dispute in a registered society or branch may, by consent (unless the rules of the society or branch expressly forbid it), refer the dispute to the Chief Registrar or, in Scotland, to the assistant registrar.

The Chief or assistant registrar to whom a dispute is referred under this section shall, either by himself or by any assistant registrar, hear and determine the dispute and shall have power to order the expenses of determining the dispute to be paid either out of the funds of the society or branch, or by such parties to the dispute as he may think fit; and his determination and order shall have the same effect and be enforceable in the same manner as a decision made in the manner directed by the rules of the society or branch.

The Chief or assistant registrar to whom a dispute is referred may administer oaths and may require the attendance of all parties concerned, and of witnesses, and the production of all books and documents relating to the matter in question.

In this section “dispute” means a dispute falling within section 76 above.