Societies Ordinance - Chapter 151

Last updated: 01/07/1997

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Societies Ordinance - Chapter 151

Long title VerDate:01/07/1997

To provide for the registration of societies, for the prohibition of the operation of certain societies and for matters related thereto. (Amended 75 of 1992 s. 2; 118 of 1997 s. 2)

[27 May 1949]

(Originally 28 of 1949 (Cap 151 1950))

SOCIETIES ORDINANCE - LONG TITLE

Long title VerDate:30/06/1997

To provide for the notification of the establishment of societies, for the prohibition of the operation of certain societies and for matters related thereto. (Amended 75 of 1992 s. 2)

[27 May 1949]

(Originally 28 of 1949 (Cap. 151 1950))

SOCIETIES ORDINANCE - SECT 1

Short title VerDate:30/06/1997

This Ordinance may be cited as the Societies Ordinance.

SOCIETIES ORDINANCE - SECT 2

Interpretation VerDate:09/05/2008

(1) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires-

"branch" , in relation to a society, includes any society which is in any way subordinate to any other society; (Added 28 of 1961 s. 2. Amended 118 of 1997 s. 3)

"connection" , in relation to a society or a branch, that is a political body, includes the following circumstances-

(a) if the society or the branch solicits or accepts financial contributions, financial sponsorships or financial support of any kind or loans, directly or indirectly, from a foreign political organization or a political organization of Taiwan;

(b) if the society or the branch is affiliated directly or indirectly with a foreign political organization or a political organization of Taiwan;

(c) if the society's or the branch's policies or any of them are determined directly or indirectly by a foreign political organization or a political organization of Taiwan; or

(d) if a foreign political organization or a political organization of Taiwan directs, dictates, controls or participates, directly or indirectly, in the decision making process of the society or the branch; (Added 118 of 1997 s. 3)

"election" means-

(a) a general election or a by-election to elect members of the Legislative Council; or

(b) an ordinary election or a by-election to elect members of a District Council; (Added 118 of 1997 s. 3. Amended 8 of 1999 s. 89; 48 of 1999 s. 48; 78 of 1999 s. 7)

"exempted society" means a society exempted by the Societies Officer from registration under this Ordinance; (Added 118 of 1997 s. 3)

"foreign political organization" includes-

(a) a government of a foreign country or a political subdivision of a government of a foreign country;

(b) an agent of a government of a foreign country or an agent of a political subdivision of the government of a foreign country; or

"local society" means any society organized and established in Hong Kong or having its headquarters or chief place of business in Hong Kong, and includes any society deemed to be established in Hong Kong by virtue of section 2(2B) or 4; (Amended 36 of 1982 s. 2; 30 of 1988 s. 4; 75 of 1992 s. 3; 118 of 1997 s. 3)

"office-bearer" of a society means any person who is the president, or vice-president, or secretary or treasurer of such society or any branch thereof, or who is a member of the committee or governing body of such society or any branch thereof, or who holds in such society or any branch thereof any office or position analogous to any of those mentioned above or in the case of a triad society, any person holding any rank or office in the triad society other than that of any ordinary member; (Amended 31 of 1957 s. 2; 28 of 1961 s. 2)

"performance of functions" includes the exercise of powers and the performance of duties; (Added 75 of 1992 s. 3)

"political body" means-

(a) a political party or an organization that purports to be a political party; or

(b) an organization whose principal function or main object is to promote or prepare a candidate for an election; (Added 118 of 1997 s. 3)

"political organization of Taiwan" includes-

(a) the administration of Taiwan or a political subdivision of the administration;

(b) an agent of the administration of Taiwan or an agent of a political subdivision of the administration; or

"Secretariat" means the Triad Renunciation Secretariat established by section 26BA; (Added 12 of 1991 s. 2)

"Societies Officer" means the Societies Officer and any Assistant Societies Officer appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 3; (Added 75 of 1992 s. 3)

"society" means any club, company, partnership or association of persons, whatever the nature or objects, to which the provisions of this Ordinance apply; (Replaced 28 of 1961 s. 2)

"specified form" means a form specified by the Societies Officer; (Added 118 of 1997 s. 3)

"triad ritual" means any ritual commonly used by triad societies, any ritual closely resembling any such ritual and any part of any such ritual; (Added 28 of 1961 s. 2)

"Tribunal" means the Triad Renunciat...

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