Natural justice

The rules of natural justice must be observed when a committee of an incorporated association adjudicates any dispute between the members of the association or between the committee itself and any member of the association [Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA) s 40].

Examples of the rules of natural justice which are often relevant to members of community organisations are the right to:

Mediation

If any member of an incorporated association disagrees with the way the affairs of the association are being conducted, then negotiation, mediation, conciliation or arbitration are all possible ways of attempting to resolve the problem. See ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

Provisions in the rules

The rules of an association will often provide ways for addressing issues that arise within the association. For example, there may be provision for a special general meeting where members can have a particular issue voted on. Special general meetings can usually only be called if a certain number of members indicate they want this.

If the association's rules allow, a general meeting of the members can take away the powers of the committee and may decide the affairs of the association.

Vote of no confidence

It is possible to put a motion that there be a vote of no confidence in a particular committee member or the committee as a whole, even if the rules do not state this (they often don't). As a matter of convention, when there is a vote of no confidence in a person, the person usually stands aside from their position. However, they do not have to do so. They may continue in their position (knowing there is 'no confidence' in them) until removed from it under the rules.

Breaches of the law

Where the association or a member breaches a provision of the Associations Incorporation Act, the Corporate Affairs Commission (part of Consumer and Business Services) may be prepared to investigate the matter.

An association or a member that breaches any other law may be sued or prosecuted.

Oppressive or unreasonable acts

Where oppressive, unreasonable, unfairly prejudicial or discriminatory circumstances exist, an association member (or a former member whose membership has ceased in the previous six months) can apply to the Magistrates Court or the Supreme Court to intervene in the affairs of the association [Associations Incorporation Act 1985 s 61]. An application to the Magistrates Court under this section is a minor civil action (see Minor Civil Claims.) Both the Magistrates Court and the Supreme Court have wide powers under this section to address problems in an association, but only the Supreme Court can make an order to wind up the association.