Search Legislation

Friendly Societies Act 1974

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Friendly Societies Act 1974, Cross Heading: Offences, penalties and legal proceedings. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.

Offences, penalties and legal proceedingsU.K.

98 Offences.U.K.

(1)It shall be an offence under this Act if—

(a)a registered society or branch or an officer or member thereof fails to give any notice, send any return or document, or do or allow to be done anything which the society, branch, officer or member is by this Act required to give, send, do or allow to be done; or

(b)a registered society or branch or an officer or member thereof wilfully neglects or refuses to do any act or to furnish any information required for the purposes of this Act by the [F1FCA or the PRA] or by any other person authorised under this Act, or does anything forbidden by this Act; or

(c)a registered society or branch or an officer or member thereof makes a return or wilfully furnishes information in any respect false or insufficient, being a return or information required for the purposes of this Act; or

(d)an officer or member of a body which, having been a branch of a society, has wholly seceded or been expelled from that society, thereafter uses the name of that society or any name implying that the body is a branch of that society or the number by which that body was designated as such a branch; or

F2(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f)a society or branch, whether registered or unregistered, pays money on the death of a child under ten years of age otherwise than as is provided by this Act; or

(g)a parent or personal representative of the parent claiming money on the death of a child produces [F3to the society or branch from which the money is claimed a false death] certificate or one fraudulently obtained, or in any way attempts to defeat the provisions of this Act with respect to payments upon the death of children.

(2)Nothing in subsection (1) above shall apply to any act, omission or contravention which constitutes an offence by virtue of any provision of this Act other than that subsection F4. . ..

(3)A society or branch and any officer or member of a society or branch or other person guilty of an offence under this Act, other than an offence for which some other penalty is expressly provided by this Act, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F5level 3 on the standard scale].

(4)If an officer of a friendly society or any other person aids or abets F6. . . in the dissolution of a friendly society otherwise than as provided in this Act, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F5level 4 on the standard scale].

(5)Where a registered society or branch is guilty of an offence under this Act, every officer of the society or branch who is bound by the rules thereof to fulfil any duty whereof the offence is a breach, or if there is no such officer then every member of the committee other than a member who is proved to have been ignorant of or to have attempted to prevent the commission of the offence, shall be liable to the same penalty as if he had committed the offence.

(6)Every default under this Act which constitutes an offence shall, if it continues, constitute a new offence in every week during which the default continues.

(7)Subject to subsection (8) below, notwithstanding any limitation on the time for the taking of proceedings contained in any enactment, summary proceedings for offences under this Act which are instituted by the [F7[F8FCA or the PRA] or by the Lord Advocate] may be commenced at any time within one year of the first discovery thereof by the [F9[F8FCA or the PRA] (or the Lord Advocate, as the case may be)], but not in any case after more than three years from the commission of the offence.

F10(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2S. 98(1)(e) repealed (1.1.1994) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 120(2), Sch. 22 Pt. 1 (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/3226, art. 2, Sch. 2 appendix.

F3Words in s. 98(1)(g) substituted (1.2.1993) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 95, Sch. 16 para. 42(a) (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/16, art. 2, Sch. 3.

F4Words in s. 98(2) repealed (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1)(2), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 42(b), Sch. 4 (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F6Words in s. 98(4) repealed (1.1.1994) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 120(2), Sch. 22 Pt. I (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/3226, art. 2, Sch. 2 appendix.

F7Words in s. 98(7) substituted (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 42(c)(i) (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F9Words in s. 98(7) substituted (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 42(c)(ii) (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F10S. 98(8) repealed (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1)(2), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 42(d), Sch. 4 (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

99 Punishment of fraud, etc. and recovery of property misapplied.U.K.

(1)If any person, with intent to mislead or defraud,—

(a)gives to any other person a copy of any rules, laws, regulations or other documents, other than the rules of a registered society or branch, on the pretence that they are the existing rules of that society or branch or that there are no other rules of the society or branch, or

(b)gives to any person a copy of any rules on the pretence that they are the rules of a registered society or branch when the society or branch is not registered,

he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400 or on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both a fine and such a term of imprisonment.

(2)If any person obtains possession by false representation or imposition of any property of a registered society or branch, or fraudulently withholds any such property in his possession or fraudulently applies any such property for purposes which are not authorised by the rules of the society or branch or which are not in accordance with this Act, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F11level 5 on the standard scale]and to be ordered to deliver up that property or to repay all moneys improperly applied; and any person who fails to comply with such an order made by a court in Scotland shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months.

(3)If—

(a)in proceedings under subsection (2) above which do not result in a conviction, or

(b)in civil proceedings instituted for the purpose,

a magistrates’ court or, in Scotland, the sheriff is satisfied that any person having possession of any property of a registered society or branch has failed to deliver it up when requested to do so by the society or branch, the court or sheriff may make an order requiring him to deliver up that property; and any person who fails to comply with such an order made by a sheriff in Scotland shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months.

(4)If in any such proceedings as are referred to in subsection (3) above a magistrates’ court or sheriff is satisfied that any person has applied money belonging to a registered society or branch for purposes which are not authorised by the rules of the society or branch or which are not in accordance with this Act, the court or sheriff may order him to repay to the society or branch the money which he has so applied; and, whatever the nature of the proceedings in which any such order is made, the order shall be enforceable as an order for the payment of money recoverable, F12. . ., summarily as a civil debt.

[F13(4A)In the application of subsection (4) above to Scotland, the word “summarily” is to be omitted.]

(5)Where a magistrates’ court or sheriff makes an order under subsection (3) or subsection (4) above, that order may be appealed against as if it were an order of that court made on the conviction of the person to whom the order is directed.

(6)Proceedings under subsection (2) above may be instituted by, F14. . ., the following persons, that is to say—

(a)in the case of a registered society, by the society or any member authorised by the society, or the trustees or committee of the society; or

(b)in the case of a registered branch, by the branch or any member authorised by it or the trustees or committee thereof or by the central body of the society of which the branch forms part, or by any member of the society or branch authorised by the central body; or

[F15(c)in any case, by any member of the society or branch authorised by the [F16FCA]; or

(d)except in Scotland, by the [F16FCA];

and (except in Scotland) no other person may institute such proceedings.]

(7)Nothing in this Act shall prevent any person guilty of an offence under this section from being proceeded against by way of indictment, if he has not previously been convicted of the same offence under the provisions of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F12Words in s. 99(4) repealed (1.12.2001) by 2000 c. 8, ss. 334, 336, 432(3), Sch. 18 Pt. I para. 4, Sch. 22; S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F13S. 99(4A) inserted (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 43(a) (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F14Words in s. 99(6) repealed (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1)(2), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 43(b)(i), Sch. 4 (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F15S. 99(6)(c)(d) and following words substituted for s. 99(6)(c) (17.8.2001 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8, 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 43(b)(ii) (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

100 Falsification of balance sheets, etc.U.K.

If any person wilfully, and with intent to falsify the document in question or to evade any of the provisions of this Act, makes, orders or allows to be made any entry or erasure in, or omission from,—

(a)a balance sheet of a registered society or branch, or [F17other than a registered friendly society or branch of such a society]

(b)a return or document required to be sent, produced or delivered for the purposes of this Act,

he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F18level 5 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F17Words in s. 100(a) added (1.1.1994) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 95, Sch. 16 para.43 (with ss. 7(5) and 93(4)); S.I. 1993/2213, art. 2, Sch. 6.

101 Prosecution of offences, recovery of costs or expenses.U.K.

(1)Summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted by the [F19FCA] or by any person aggrieved.

[F20(1A) In the application of subsection (1) to Scotland, the reference to the [F19FCA] is to be read as a reference to the Lord Advocate.]

[F21(1B) Summary proceedings for an offence under a provision listed in subsection (1C) may also be commenced by the PRA , in the circumstances specified in that subsection in relation to that provision, after notifying the FCA .

(1C)The provisions and the circumstances are—

(a) section 32 (audit of exempt societies and branches), if the failure referred to in subsection (4) of that section is a failure to comply with a direction given by the PRA under subsection (2) of that section;

(b) section 39C (power to require accounts of past years to be audited), if the failure referred to in subsection (2) of that section is a failure to comply with a direction given by the PRA under subsection (1) of that section; and

(c)section 98 (offences), if the neglect or refusal referred to in subsection (1)(b) of that section relates to an act or information required by the PRA.]

(2)Any costs or expenses ordered or directed by the [F22FCA or the PRA] to be paid by any person under this Act shall be recoverable summarily as a civil debt.

(3)In the application of subsection (2) above to Scotland, the word “summarily” shall be omitted.

F23102 Jurisdiction of magistrates' courts in Northern IrelandU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources