Clubs / association laws

locteau

Hi All,

I am looking for information about like France has, a law about, creation of association, power and liability of executive committee:
http://cesc.online.fr/1901.html

I can't find any info on the Irish sports council website and they did not reply to my email sent 2 weeks ago.

Thanks

Sebastien

Peregrinus

There isn't any legislative framework in Ireland specifically for for sports or social clubs.

Clubs that want a legal personality can incorporate as "companies" under the Companies Acts, using the same structures that are available to trading companies. Most, however, operate as unincorporated associations with no legal personality and, if they have any property (a clubhouse, sports ground, etc) they hold it through nominees.

shaneybaby

http://www.icos.ie/ might be a help (not just for farmers)

locteau

I can't believe there is no laws frame work or regulation for clubs / association.

It does not make sense really. So any clubs can make any constitution with rules they want in it ? (if not illegal obviously)

For example I can be the Chair with all powers to refuse or not members etc....

Am I right ?

Peregrinus

Yup, there's a constitutional right of free association and, while it's not an absolute right, people can associate on whatever terms they please, subject to some very broad restrictions of public policy (e.g. under non-discrimination legislation). If you want to found an association in which you hold all the executive power and other members have no power or influence, the only thing that will stop you is the difficulty of persuading people to join.

coylemj

Most voluntary clubs and associations have no legal framework. If they have a clubhouse and want to serve beer like most GAA and rugby clubs then they have to become a registered club in which case they have to conform to the rules laid down in the Registration of Clubs Act 1904 but if they don't go down that road most will just have an ad hoc set of rules and not be subject to any legislative framework.

nuac

Obviously scope for a quango for clubs, with a regulator etc etc

locteau

Yes that's amazing 1

Thanks guys that's interesting and certainly developed my personal knowledge

coylemj

nuac wrote: »

Obviously scope for a quango for clubs, with a regulator etc etc

And maybe a title like the Registrar of Friendly Societies?