Regulation 8A

Notwithstanding regulations 7 and 8, a Patron Dispute Committee may, if it thinks fit, deliberate on and make any decision by the circulation of papers among all of the members of the Patron Dispute Committee.

A member of the Patron Dispute Committee who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in any dispute, which interest could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s duties in relation to the dispute —

A decision in writing made by a simple majority of the members of the Patron Dispute Committee for the time being entitled to take part in the decision in respect thereof shall be taken to be a decision of the Patron Dispute Committee, and shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been made at a meeting of the Patron Dispute Committee duly convened and held.

Separate copies of a decision in writing may be distributed for signing by the members if the wording of the decision is identical in each copy.

For the purpose of a decision under this regulation, the chairman and each member shall have the same voting rights as they have at any meeting of the Patron Dispute Committee.

The decision of the Patron Dispute Committee shall be made when the last member thereof required for the majority signs and his decision is duly delivered to the secretary.

The chairman may stipulate a period of time within which a decision must be made under this regulation.

For the purposes of this regulation, papers, including disclosures and decisions, may be circulated among members or delivered to the secretary by hand or facsimile or electronic transmission of the information in the papers concerned.