Section 12
Branch of a society
of Societies Act 1966 (Revised - 2021)
No registered society shall establish a branch without the prior approval of the Registrar.
(2)
The Registrar may refuse his consent to the establishment of a branch of the registered society if—
(a)
the rules of the society do not provide for the establishment of a branch of the society; or
(b)
the rules of the branch of the society are such as to make the branch of the society an independent society not adequately under the control of the society.
(3)
Where a registered society establishes a branch without the prior approval of the Registrar, the branch so established shall be an unlawful society:
Provided that a branch of a registered society established and in existence immediately before the commencement of this Act shall not be an unlawful society if within six months from the commencement of this Act or such extended period, not being more than three months, as the Registrar may allow, such registered society applies to the Registrar in writing for his approval under this section; and in considering such application the Registrar shall have all the powers conferred upon him by subsection (2).
(4)
The provisions of this Act, other than subsection 6(1), and sections 7 and 8, shall apply to any branch of a registered society approved under this section as though such branch were a society registered, as the society of which it is a branch, under the provisions of this Act.
Societies 23
(5)
For the purpose of this section, a branch of a registered society includes any society which is in any way subordinate to another society.
(6)
Where an approval to establish a branch has been given, such branch shall be established within three months of such approval unless the Registrar has granted an extension of time.