Section 81 Complaints by members of friendly societies.

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

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.

The F1FCA shall have the function of promoting the establishment by friendly societies and registered branches of—

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

In this section—

• “accede”, in relation to a scheme, means assume the obligations and rights of membership of the scheme;

• “complaint” includes any complaint made by a member about action of a friendly society or branch which constitutes (in relation to that member) unfair treatment, maladministration or breach of any contractual or other duty and causes him pecuniary loss or inconvenience;

• “member” in relation to a friendly society or branch includes any person who is or was a member of the society or branch or is claiming through a member or under the rules; and

• “action” includes omissions.