Part VIIU.K. Disputes

Disputes relating to friendly societiesU.K.

81 Complaints by members of friendly societies.U.K.

(1)Nothing in section 80 above shall affect the power of a friendly society or registered branch—

(a)to establish internal procedures for the resolution of complaints; or

(b)to make, to join with any other persons in making, or to accede to, schemes for the investigation and settlement by an adjudicator of complaints;

but a society or branch may not prevent a member from referring any dispute to arbitration under that section by purporting to require instead the making of a complaint or the acceptance of any determination of a complaint.

(2)The [F1Authority]shall have the function of promoting the establishment by friendly societies and registered branches of—

(a)internal complaints procedures; and

(b)schemes for the investigation and settlement of complaints;

and, in particular, the [F1Authority] may issue such guidance on those matters to friendly societies and registered branches as it thinks fit.

(3)In this section—

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 81(2) substituted (17.8.2001 for specified purposed and otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2617, arts. 2, 8(1) ,13(1), Sch. 3, Pt. 1 para. 94 (with art. 13(3), Sch. 5); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)