21. Presumptive proof of existence of society
Feedback & supportIn any prosecution for an offence under this Act where it is proved that a club, company, partnership or association exists —
it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the club, company, partnership or association is a society within the meaning of this Act;
it shall not be necessary to prove that the society possesses a name or that it has been constituted or is usually known under a particular name; and
it shall be presumed until the contrary is proved that it consists of and has at all material times consisted of 10 or more persons.
Notwithstanding any other written law in any prosecution for an offence under this Act, for the purpose of proving the existence of a society, evidence may be adduced and shall be admitted which shows that —
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.
any person is reputed to be a member of the society;
any announcement has been made, whether by the person charged or by any other person by any means whatever, that the society has been formed or is in existence; or
by repute the society is in existence.