26Cancellation of registration
(1)Where the central office is satisfied that an incorporated friendly society has been dissolved under section 20 above or following a winding up, the central office shall cancel the society’s registration under this Act.
(2)Where the central office is satisfied, with respect to an incorporated friendly society—
(a)that a certificate of incorporation has been obtained for the society by fraud or mistake; or
(b)that the society has ceased to exist,
the central office may cancel the registration of the society.
(3)Without prejudice to subsection (2) above, the central office may, if it thinks fit, cancel the registration of an incorporated friendly society at the request of the society, evidenced in such manner as the central office may direct.
(4)Before cancelling the registration of an incorporated friendly society under subsection (2) above, the central office shall give to the society not less than two months' previous notice, specifying briefly the grounds of the proposed cancellation.
(5)Where the registration of an incorporated friendly society is cancelled under subsection (2) above, the society may appeal—
(a)where the registered office of the society is situated in England and Wales, to the High Court;
(b)where that office is situated in Scotland, to the Court of Session; or
(c)where that office is situated in Northern Ireland, to the High Court in Northern Ireland;
and on any such appeal the court may, if it thinks it just to do so, set aside the cancellation.
(6)Where the registration of a society is cancelled under subsection (2) or (3) above, then, subject to the right of appeal under subsection (5) above, the society, so far as it continues to exist, shall cease to be a society incorporated under this Act.
(7)Subsection (6) above shall not affect any liability actually incurred by an incorporated friendly society; and any such liability may be enforced against the society as if the cancellation had not taken place.
(8)Any cancellation of the registration of an incorporated friendly society under this section shall be effected in writing signed by the central office.
(9)As soon as practicable after the cancellation of the registration of an incorporated friendly society under this section the central office shall cause notice thereof to be published in the London Gazette, the Edinburgh Gazette or the Belfast Gazette according to the situation of the society’s registered office, and if it thinks fit, in one or more newspapers.