### Societies Ordinance 《社團條例》

5C. Offences in relation to registration, etc.
(1) If a society fails to comply with section 5(1) or (2), every office-bearer or person professing or claiming to be an office-bearer commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction—
(a) for a first conviction for the offence in relation to a particular society, to a fine at level 3; and
(b) for a second or subsequent conviction for the offence in relation to the same society, to a fine at level 4 and to imprisonment for 3 months and in addition to a fine of $300 for each day during which the offence continues, commencing on the date of the first conviction.
(2) It is a defence to a charge under subsection (1) if the defendant establishes to the satisfaction of the court that he has exercised due diligence to ensure the society complied with section 5 and that the failure occurred for reasons beyond his control.
(Added 118 of 1997 s. 4)

5D. Cancellation of registration or exemption from registration
(1) The Societies Officer may, after consultation with the Secretary for Security, cancel the registration or exemption from registration of a society or a branch—
(a) if he reasonably believes that the cancellation is necessary in the interests of national security or public safety, public order or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others; or (Amended 10 of 2008 s. 5)
(b) if the society or the branch is a political body that has a connection with a political organization of an external place. (Amended 6 of 2024 s. 136)
(2) The Societies Officer shall not cancel the registration or exemption from registration without first giving the society an opportunity to be heard or to make written representations as the society thinks fit as to why the registration or exemption from registration should not be cancelled unless the Societies Officer reasonably believes that in the circumstances of the case it would not be practicable to give the society the opportunity to be heard or to make representations.
(3) The Societies Officer shall give to a society written reasons for his decision to cancel the registration or exemption from registration of the society or branch within 14 days of the decision.
(Added 118 of 1997 s. 4)

### Societies Ordinance 《社團條例》

5E. Appeal against cancellation
The society, the branch, an office-bearer or a member of the society or the branch who is aggrieved by the decision of the Societies Officer to cancel the registration or exemption from registration may appeal to the Chief Executive in Council within 30 days of the date when notice of the decision was given to the society. The Chief Executive in Council may confirm, vary or reverse the decision. The operation of the decision appealed against is suspended until the Chief Executive in Council has heard and determined the appeal.
(Added 118 of 1997 s. 4)

5F. Offences of continued operation
(1) A society or a branch that is refused registration or exemption or has had its registration or exemption cancelled and the refusal or cancellation—
(a) has not been appealed against within the time limited for appeal under section 5B or 5E; or
(b) has been confirmed on appeal,
shall cease its operation as a society or a branch.
(2) If a society or a branch fails to comply with subsection (1), every office-bearer or person professing or claiming to be an office-bearer of the society or the branch commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction—
(a) for a first conviction for the offence in relation to a particular society, to a fine at level 3; and
(b) for a second or subsequent conviction for the offence in relation to the same society, to a fine at level 4 and to imprisonment for 3 months and in addition to a fine of $300 for each day during which the offence continues, commencing on the date of the first conviction.
(3) It is a defence to a charge under subsection (2) if the defendant establishes to the satisfaction of the court that he has exercised due diligence to ensure the society or the branch complied with subsection (1) and that the failure occurred for reasons beyond his control.
(Added 118 of 1997 s. 4)

### Societies Ordinance 《社團條例》

6. Rural committees
(1) The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs may, in his absolute discretion, issue to any society a certificate in such form as he thinks fit showing that he acknowledges such society as a rural committee or as a federation or other association of rural committees and may cancel, amend or withdraw any such certificate and the issue or withdrawal of such certificate shall be conclusive evidence as to whether or not a society is acknowledged by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs as a rural committee or as a federation or other association of rural committees. (Amended L.N. 144 of 2022)
(2) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs under subsection (1) may appeal to the Chief Executive in Council and on any such appeal the Chief Executive in Council may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs. (Amended 13 of 1999 s. 3; L.N. 144 of 2022)
(3) An appeal under subsection (2) may be made within 30 days after the date when the decision was notified to the person or the society or the date of publication of the notice of the decision in the Gazette, whichever is the later.
(4) The operation of any decision appealed against under subsection (1) shall be suspended until the appeal has been heard and determined by the Chief Executive in Council. (Amended 13 of 1999 s. 3)
(Replaced 75 of 1992 s. 5)

7. Form of notices, records, etc.
(1) The Societies Officer may specify the form of any notice in writing, certificate, application, record or return required for the purposes of this Ordinance. 
(2) The Societies Officer may publish in the Gazette any forms specified by him under subsection (1). 
(Replaced 75 of 1992 s. 5)