Credit Unions Act 1979

Powers of registrar E+W+S

17 Power to require information. E+W+S

(1) In relation to a credit union, the powers of the [F1 Authority] under subsection (1) of section 48 of the 1965 Act to require the production of books, accounts and other documents and the furnishing of information in connection with the exercise of certain of [F2 its] powers under that Act [F3 shall apply also in connection with the exercise of its functions under this Act,] and F4 . . . of section 48 of the 1965 Act (penalties and defraying expenses) shall apply accordingly;

(2) Without prejudice to section 39 of the 1965 Act (duty to furnish annual returns), the [F1 Authority] may from time to time by notice in writing served on a credit union require it to furnish, within such period as may be specified in the notice, a financial statement or periodic financial statements in such form and containing such information as may be so specified.

(3) If a credit union fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a notice under subsection (2) above it shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F5 level 3 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 17(1)(2) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2(b), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. IV para. 281(a) (with art. 13(3)); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F2 Word in s. 17(1) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2(b), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. IV para. 281(b)(i) (with art. 13(3)); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F3 Words in s. 17(1) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2(b), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. IV para. 281(b)(ii) (with art. 13(3)); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F4 Words in s. 17(1) omitted (2.7.2002) by virtue of S.I. 2002/1501, arts. 1(1), 2(12)

F5 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G

18 Power to appoint inspector and call meeting. E+W+S

(1) Without prejudice to section 49 of the 1965 Act (appointment of inspector or calling of special meeting upon application of members of registered society), where the [F6 Authority] is of the opinion that [F7 , for reasons connected with the exercise of its functions under this Act or the 1965 Act,]an investigation should be held into the affairs of a credit union or that the affairs of the credit union call for consideration by a meeting of the members, [F8 it may] appoint an inspector to investigate and report on the affairs of the credit union or may call a special meeting of the credit union, or may (either on the same or on different occasions) both appoint such an inspector and call such a meeting.

(2) All expenses of and incidental to an investigation or meeting held pursuant to subsection (1) above shall be defrayed out of the funds of the credit union, or by the members or officers or former members or officers of the credit union in such proportions as the [F6 Authority] shall direct.

(3) Subsections (5) and (6) of the said section 49 (power to prescribe time and place of meeting, procedure, power to require evidence to be given, etc.) shall apply in relation to an inspector appointed or meeting called in accordance with this section.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in s. 18(1)(2) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2(b), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. IV para. 282 (with art. 13(3)); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F7 Words in s. 18(1) inserted (2.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1501, arts. 1(1), 2(13)

F8 Words in s. 18(1) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2(b), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. IV para. 283 (with art. 13(3)); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F9 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 19 omitted (2.7.2002) by virtue of S.I. 2002/1501, arts. 1(1), 2(14) (with art. 6(1))

20 Cancellation or suspension of registration and petition for winding up. E+W+S

(1) In subsection (1) of section 16 of the 1965 Act (grounds for cancellation of registration) as it applies to credit unions—

(a) in paragraph (c)(i) the reference to violation of any of the provisions of the 1965 Act shall be construed as including a reference to violation of any of the provisions of this Act; and

(b) in paragraph (c)(ii) the reference to the fact that neither of the conditions in section 1(2) of that Act is fulfilled shall be construed as a reference to the fact that there is no longer a common bond between the members of a credit union;

and section 17(1) of that Act (suspension of registration on grounds which would justify cancellation) and section 18 of that Act (appeals) shall apply accordingly.

[F10 (1A) The Authority may also exercise the power to cancel the registration of a credit union in accordance with section 16 of the 1965 Act where the credit union’s Part IV permission has been cancelled or where the Authority has given the credit union a warning notice under section 54(1) of the 2000 Act.

(1B) Cancellation of registration under section 16 of the 1965 Act by virtue of subsection (1A) may not take effect until the Authority has cancelled the credit union’s Part IV permission and there is no possibility (or no further possibility) of that determination of the Authority being reversed or varied.

(1C) In its application to credit unions, in subsection (4) of section 16 of the 1965 Act, the reference to the ground referred to in subsection (1)(c)(ii) shall include a reference to the ground mentioned in subsection (1A) of this section.

(1D) Section 18 of the 1965 Act does not apply in relation to a decision of the Authority to cancel the registration of a credit union by virtue of subsection (1A) of this section (and so a society may not appeal from a decision of the Authority to cancel its registration by virtue of subsection (1A)).]

(2) A petition for the winding up of a credit union may be presented to the court by the [F11 Authority] if it appears to [F12 the Authority] that—

(a) the credit union is unable to pay sums due and payable to its members, or is able to pay such sums only by obtaining further subscriptions for shares or by defaulting in its obligations to creditors; or

(b) there has been, in relation to that credit union, a failure to comply with any provision of, or of any direction given under, this Act or the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978; or

(c) there is no longer a common bond between the members of the credit union;

or in any other case where it appears to [F12 the Authority] that the winding up of the credit union is in the public interest or is just and equitable having regard to the interests of all the members of the credit union.

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 20(1A)-(1D) inserted (2.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1501, arts. 1(1), 2(15)

F11 Word in s. 20(2) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2(b), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. IV para. 282 (with art. 13(3)); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

F12 Words in s. 20(2) substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2(b), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. IV para. 285 (with art. 13(3)); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)