INTRODUCTION.

3

quarter  sessions,  who  were  to  review  and  examine
them,  to  annul  and  make  void  all  such  as  were
repugnant  to  the  Act,  and  to  allow  and  confirm
the  rest.  The  rules  so  confirmed  were  to  be
signed  by  the  clerk  of  the  peace,  and  a  duplicate
on  parchment  filed  by  him  with  the  rolls  of  the
sessions  (6).
3.  The  encouragement  and  relief  which  this
Act  provided  for  those  societies  who  complied
with  its  requirements  were  :—
1st.  Exemption  from  fees  upon  enrolment  and
upon  bonds  given  to  the  clerk  of  the  peace.
2nd.  Exemption  from  stamp  duty  on  bonds.
3rd.  Power  to  recover  funds  from  defaulting
officers  by  summary  proceedings  in  Chancery ­
  without  fee,  either  to  the  officers  of
the  court  or  to  counsel,  and  without  stamp
duty.
4th.  Priority  of  claim  for  moneys  of  the  society
on  the  assets  of  any  deceased  or  bankrupt
officer.
5th.  Power  to  take  proceedings  in  the  names
of  officers  for  the  time  being,  and  continue
them  without  abatement  by  the  death  or
removal  of  the  officer.
6th.  Power  to  determine  disputes,  either  by
arbitration  or  before  justices  without
appeal  to  any  court  of  record.
7th.  Exemption  of  members  from  removal

(b)  Though  this  is  the  first  Act  providing  for  the  legal
recognition  of  Friendly  Societies,  the  rules  of  trade  guilds
had  been  certified  by  the  Commissary  of  the  Bishop  of
London  as  early  as  1354.
B  2