Building Societies Act 1986

[F1 17 (1) In favour of a person dealing with a building society in good faith, the power of the board of directors to bind the society, or authorise others to do so, shall not be limited by reason of anything included in the society’s constitution, that is to say, its memorandum and rules. U.K.

(2) For this purpose—

(a) a person deals with a building society if he is a party to any transaction or other act to which the society is a party;

(b) a person shall not be regarded as acting in bad faith by reason only of his knowing that an act is beyond the powers of the directors under the society’s constitution; and

(c) a person shall be presumed to have acted in good faith unless the contrary is proved.

(3) The references above to limitations on the directors’ powers under the society’s constitution include limitations deriving from a resolution of the society passed at a general meeting or special meeting or on a postal [F2 or electronic] ballot, or from any agreement between the members of the society.

(4) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 3(2) above, sub-paragraph (1) above applies in relation to members of the society, and to persons claiming on account of members or under the rules of the society, as it applies in relation to other persons.

(5) Sub-paragraph (1) above does not affect any right of a member of the society to bring proceedings to restrain the doing of an act which is beyond the powers of the directors; but no such proceedings shall lie in respect of an act to be done in fulfilment of a legal obligation arising from a previous act of the society.

(6) Nor does that sub-paragraph affect any liability incurred by the directors, or any other person, by reason of the directors’ exceeding their powers.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2 Pt. II substituted (1.12.1997 in specified cases and for specified purposes and otherwise in accordance with art. 2(2)(3)(5) of S.I. 1997/2668) by 1997 c. 32, ss. 3(2), 47(3), Sch. 1; S.I. 1997/2668, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II(c)

F2 Words in Sch. 2 para. 17(3) inserted (20.3.2003) by The Building Societies Act 1986 (Electronic Communications) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/404), arts. 1(1), 30(6)(a)