(1)An incorporated friendly society may be wound up under the applicable winding up legislation by the court on any of the following grounds, that is to say, if—
(a)the society has by special resolution resolved that it be wound up by the court;
(b)the number of members is reduced below 7;
(c)the number of members of the committee of management is reduced below 2;
(d)the society has not commenced business within a year from its incorporation or has suspended its business for a whole year;
(e)the society exists for an illegal purpose;
(f)the society is unable to pay its debts; or
(g)the court is of the opinion that it is just and equitable that the society should be wound up.
(2)Except as provided by subsection (3) below or the applicable winding up legislation, a petition for the winding up of an incorporated friendly society may be presented by—
(a)the [F1Authority];
(b)the society or its committee of management;
(c)any creditor or creditors (including any contingent or any prospective creditor); or
(d)any contributory or contributories,
or by all or any of those parties, together or separately.
(3)A contributory may not present a petition unless the number of members is reduced below 7 or he has been a contributory for at least six months before the winding up.
(4)In this section “contributory” has the meaning assigned to it by paragraph 9 of Schedule 10 to this Act.
Textual Amendments
F1Word in s. 22(2)(a) substituted (17.8.2001 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8(1), 13(1), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 61 (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)