PART 3Friendly societies
Societies and the Authority
Public file may be maintained electronicallyI15
In section 104 of the 1992 Act15 (public file of a friendly society)—
a
after subsection (1) insert—
1A
The requirement to prepare and maintain the public file of a friendly society does not apply in relation to a document, a copy of a document or a record, if the Authority—
a
prepares and maintains an electronic copy of the document, copy or record; and
b
places the electronic copy on the Authority’s website.
b
in subsection (2A)16, after “subsection (1)(b) above,” insert “for making an electronic copy available under subsection (1A) above”.
Forms of documents to be sent to the AuthorityI26
1
In section 114(1) of the 1992 Act17 (forms of documents), after “the particulars to be included in”, insert “, and the authentication of,”.
2
After section 114(2) insert—
3
As regards the authentication of a document sent to the Authority electronically, the Authority may—
a
require the document to be authenticated by a particular person or a person of a particular description;
b
specify the means of authentication;
c
require the document to contain or be accompanied by the name or registered number of the society to which it relates (or both).
4
As regards the procedure to be followed in sending a document electronically, the Authority may specify requirements as to the hardware and software to be used, and technical specifications (for example, matters relating to protocol, security, anti-virus protection or encryption).
5
Directions made by the Authority under this section must not require documents to be sent electronically.
6
In this section, a document is sent electronically if is it sent by electronic means or in electronic form.