11. Change of name and rules of society
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2023.
No registered society shall —
registered society
“registered society” means a society registered or deemed to be registered under this Act;
change its name; or
amend its rules,without the prior approval in writing of the Registrar or an Assistant Registrar.
Without limiting subsection (1), the grounds on which the Registrar or an Assistant Registrar may refuse to approve a change by a registered society of its name include where it appears to the Registrar or Assistant Registrar that the name to which the registered society is to be changed —
Registrar
“Registrar” means the Registrar of Societies appointed under section 3;
is likely to mislead members of the public as to the true character or purpose of the registered society or so nearly resembles the name of some other society as is likely to deceive the members of the public or members of either society;
is undesirable or offensive;
is identical to that of any other existing society; or
is likely to give the impression that the registered society is connected in some way with the Government or a public authority, or with any other body of persons or any individual, when it is not so connected.
Without limiting subsection (1), the grounds on which the Registrar or an Assistant Registrar may refuse to approve an amendment by a registered society of its rules include where it appears to the Registrar or Assistant Registrar that the amendment of the rules would be —
Assistant Registrar
“Assistant Registrar” means an Assistant Registrar of Societies appointed under section 3;
contrary to Singapore’s national security or interest; (b)prejudicial to public peace, welfare or good order in Singapore; or
contrary to the provisions of this Act or any regulations.
If a registered society fails to comply with the requirement of subsection (1), the society and every officer of the society shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000.
society
“society” includes any club, company, partnership or association of 10 or more persons, whatever its nature or object, but does not include —(a)any company registered under any written law relating to companies for the time being in force in Singapore;(b)any company or association constituted under any written law;(c)any limited liability partnership registered under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005;(d)any trade union registered or required to be registered under any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore;(e)any cooperative society registered as such under any written law;(f)any mutual benefit organisation registered as such under any written law relating to mutual benefit organisations for the time being in force in Singapore;(g)any company, association or partnership, consisting of not more than 20 persons, formed for the sole purpose of carrying on any lawful business that has for its object the acquisition of gain by the company, association or partnership, or the individual members thereof;(h)any class, society or association of foreign insurers carrying on insurance business in Singapore under any foreign insurer scheme established under Part 2A of the Insurance Act 1966; or(i)any school or management committee of a school constituted under any law regulating schools for the time being in force in Singapore.
For the purposes of this section, “amend” includes making a new rule and rescinding an existing rule.
Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the Registrar or an Assistant Registrar to approve the change of name of a registered society or to amend its rules may within 30 days from the date of the decision appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.