Friendly Societies Act 1992

Rights of auditors who are removed or not re-appointed

11 (1) Special notice is required for a resolution at a general meeting of a friendly society or registered branch—

(a) removing an auditor before the expiration of his term of office; or

(b) appointing as auditor a person other than a retiring auditor.

(2) On receipt of notice of such an intended resolution the friendly society or branch shall forthwith send a copy of it to the person proposed to be removed or, as the case may be, to the person proposed to be appointed and to the retiring auditor.

(3) The auditor proposed to be removed or (as the case may be) the retiring auditor may make with respect to the intended resolution representations in writing to the society or branch (not exceeding a reasonable length) and request their notification to members of the society.

(4) The society or branch shall (unless the representations are received by it too late for it to do so)—

(a) in any notice of the resolution given to members of the society or branch, state the fact of the representations having been made;

(b) include in or with any such notice a copy of the representations; and

(c) make copies of them available to members at the meeting at which the resolution is to be moved.

(5) If notice of any such representations is not given as required by sub-paragraph (4) above because received too late or because of the default of the society or branch, the auditor may (without prejudice to his right to be heard orally) require that the representations be read out at the meeting.

(6) The steps required by sub-paragraphs (4) or (5) above need not be taken if, on the application of the society or branch or of any other person claiming to be aggrieved, the court is satisfied that the rights conferred by this paragraph are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter; and the court may order the costs of the society or branch on the application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application.