The diverse activities of clubs, societies and associations present numerous questions for
those advising these bodies, with problems ranging from constitutional matters to the field
of equality and anti-discrimination regulation. The legal issues can span the interpretation of
rules, expulsion procedures, company law, alcohol licensing, the promotion of lotteries,
property law, employment, taxation and litigation.

Ashton & Reid on Clubs and Associations is the definitive guide to the legal framework in which such bodies operate, bringing together the various strands to provide practical legal advice in one convenient source for these bodies and their legal advisors.

The new edition has been fully updated to cover recent case-law and the coming into force of much new legislation, including:

• Companies Act 2006
• Charities Act 2006
• Gambling Act 2005
• Co-operative and Community Societies and Credit Unions Act 2010
• Equality Act 2010

In addition, the work includes a full set of model rules for members’ clubs, the 2008 model company articles of association and other useful material in the appendices.

David Ashton
Barrister, Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator

Paul W Reid
Barrister and Recorder of the Crown Court

Formation and Dissolution of the Club

• Formation of the club
• The club’s constitution or rules
• Dissolution of the club

Internal Relationships: The Club and its Members

• Admission into the club
• Management of the club’s affairs
• Meetings of club members
• Cessation and curtailment of membership
• Ownership of the club’s property
• Supply and sale of alcohol by the club
• Entertainment provided by the club
• Gaming and lotteries run by the club

External Relationships: The Club and Third Parties

• The club’s civil liability to third parties
  • Contracts
  • Torts
• Landlord and tenant relationships involving the club
• The club’s employment of third parties
• The club’s responsibility for crime
• Third party challenges to the club’s decisions
• The club’s liability for tax and non-domestic rates

The Club as a Party in Civil Proceedings

• The club’s involvement in civil proceedings

Appendices

• Selected statutory provisions
• Model articles of association 2008
• Model rules for members’ clubs
• Specimen notice of meeting and agenda
• Specimen minutes of meeting
• Tax table re sports clubs

An up-to-date and comprehensive book on Club Law is long overdue. We
have waited a long time, but the wait has been worthwhile.
The concept of the club is founded in the 17th century when like-minded
persons came together in coffee houses for political and social ends. In the
next century ‘gentlemen’s clubs’ emerged, notably White’s (probably the
earliest) and The Garrick (of which I am a proud member). Sports clubs
were not far behind, the Jockey Club, MCC and the Royal and Ancient
immediately spring to mind. They became a peculiarly English institution
with a distinctive ethos of ‘clubability’. The members jealously and
zealously regarded the association as ‘their’ club run by and for the
members with an unincorporated structure and in an informal yet
democratic manner. The concept worked so well that it attracted the
attention of others who recognised the merits and advantages of a club and
who were inspired to adopt the formula as a means of creating institutions
with far wider purposes and pursuits. Hence the emergence of a whole
spectrum of clubs, associations and societies which include, for example,
working men’s clubs, British Legion clubs, gaming clubs, societies devoted
to hobbies and even fan clubs. In all, a total running into tens of thousands.
A later development was the creation of a more complex creature,
incorporated clubs registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies
Act or the Companies Act.
It is immediately apparent that the authors have undertaken a monumental
task to produce in one volume the law and practice relating to the whole
spectrum. A glance at the list of statutes and statutory instruments alone
reveals the complexity of the subject and the dedication required to tackle
the subject. But we need not worry. How fortunate that the publishers
chose to entrust the task into such safe hands. David Ashton in 1964
re-wrote the book on Club Law published by the Working Men’s Club and
Institute Union and in the course of many years in practice he has acted for
or advised numerous clubs, ranging from top football clubs to the local
angling club. For 17 years he was counsel to the Kennel Club. Paul Reid has
developed a particular expertise in Club Law, having been for the last 15
years Standing Counsel to the National Golf Clubs’ Advisory Association,
in the course of which he has written over a thousand opinions for golf
clubs on all aspects of law and practice.
The end result is one of the most impressive works of its type that I have
ever encountered. It describes and explains the law and practice in an
exemplary manner. The hallmark of this book is its lucidity, practicality and
readability. Every club secretary of every club of every description must
acquire a copy, keep it to hand and be ready to refer committees, officers
and members to its contents. It would be remiss of lawyers in this field to
be without it.

The Rt Hon Sir Philip Otton
20 Essex Street
London WC2R 3AL