{"id":"nsw:act-1919-bui","name":"Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1919","slug":"baptist-union-incorporation-act-1919","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"bui of 1919","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":111950,"registerId":"nsw-act-1919-bui-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1A Name of Act\n\n1A Name of Act\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1919](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1919-bui).\n> \n> **s 1A:** Ins 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (3).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition","content":"#### 1B Definition\n\n1B Definition\n\n> In this Act, the corporation means the body corporate constituted by section 1.\n> \n> **s 1B:** Ins 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (3).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"To be a body corporate","content":"#### 1 To be a body corporate\n\n1 To be a body corporate\n\n> The members of the said association, called the Baptist Union of New South Wales, and all persons who shall in manner provided by the rules and by-laws for the time being of the said association become members thereof, shall be a body corporate by the name of “The Baptist Union of New South Wales”, and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall and may enter into contracts, sue and be sued, prosecute and defend, and take all other proceedings in all courts civil and criminal within the said State, and any summons, writ, statement of claim, notice, or other proceedings which it may be necessary to serve upon the corporation may be served upon any member of the executive committee of the corporation.\n> \n> **s 1:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4).","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Existing rules to apply","content":"#### 2 Existing rules to apply\n\n2 Existing rules to apply\n\n> The present rules and by-laws of the said association shall until new by-laws have been made under the provisions hereinafter mentioned be deemed and considered to be and shall be the rules and by-laws of the corporation save and except in so far as they are or may be inconsistent or incompatible with or repugnant to any of the provisions of this Act or any of the laws now or hereafter to be in force in the said State.\n> \n> **s 2:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a).","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to purchase etc","content":"#### 3 Power to purchase etc\n\n3 Power to purchase etc\n\n> > (1) The corporation shall have power to purchase, acquire and hold lands and any interest therein and also to sell, mortgage, lease, or otherwise dispose of the said lands or any interest therein, and all lands, tenements, hereditaments, and other property, real or personal, now belonging to the said association under the said rules and by-laws or vested in trustees for the said association or any committee thereof or for the general purposes of the said denomination shall on the passing of this Act be vested in and become the property of the corporation subject to any trusts, special or otherwise, and to all charges and claims and demands in anywise affecting the same.\n> \n> > (2) The corporation has, and shall be deemed always to have had, power to acquire, purchase, exchange, hire, sell, mortgage, lease, hold and dispose of, and otherwise deal with, personal property.\n> \n> > (3) The corporation may do and suffer all things that bodies corporate generally may, by law, do and suffer and that are necessary for or incidental to the purposes for which it is constituted.\n> \n> **s 3:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a) (5).","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"3A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Validation of grants","content":"#### 3A Validation of grants\n\n3A Validation of grants\n\n> > (1) No title to any land to which this section applies shall be held bad either at law or in equity by reason of any breach or non-performance before or after the commencement of [The Baptist Union Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1958](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1958-49), of any condition, trust or proviso contained in the grant by the Crown of the land and every provision for forfeiture or reverter in respect of any such breach or non-performance shall be deemed to have been released by the Crown as from the date of the Crown grant.\n> \n> > (2) (Repealed)\n> \n> > (3) In this section:\n> > \n> > land to which this section applies means any land:\n> > \n> > > (a) granted by the Crown before or after the commencement of [The Baptist Union Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1958](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1958-49), for or for the use benefit or purposes of the association or body corporate named The Baptist Union of New South Wales, and\n> > \n> > > (b) which was at the date of such grant subject to any reservation or dedication made before such commencement under the provisions of the Crown Lands Acts as defined in section 5 of the [Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913](/view/pdf/asmade/act-1913-7) as amended by subsequent Acts.\n> \n> **s 3A:** Ins 1958 No 49, sec 2. Am 2017 No 17, Sch 4.4.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Management of general business etc","content":"#### 4 Management of general business etc\n\n4 Management of general business etc\n\n> The general business of the corporation shall, subject to the by-laws for the time being of the corporation, be under the immediate management and superintendence of an executive committee (consisting of at least twelve members of the corporation), one of whom shall be called the president of the corporation, and the executive committee for the time being of the corporation shall have the custody of the common seal of the corporation and the form thereof with power to break, alter, and change the same from time to time and all other matters relating thereto which shall from time to time be determined by the said executive committee, and the members of such executive committee or such three or more of them as the by-laws for the time being of the corporation shall direct shall have power to use such common seal for the affairs of the corporation and to affix the same to any deed or document and under such seal either by letter of attorney or otherwise to authorise any person or persons to execute without such seal deeds and contracts and to do all such other things as may be required to be done on behalf of the corporation in conformity with the provisions of this Act and of the by-laws for the time being of the corporation, and it shall not be necessary to use the said seal in respect to any of the ordinary business of the corporation nor for the appointment of its secretary, solicitor, or other officers.\n> \n> **ss 4–6:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a).","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Executive committee","content":"#### 5 Executive committee\n\n5 Executive committee\n\n> The present executive committee of the said association shall be the executive committee of the corporation, and the present officers of the said association shall be the officers of the corporation until they or any of them shall retire or be changed or shall otherwise cease to be members of the executive committee or officers of the said association in pursuance of the by-laws for the time being of the corporation.\n> \n> **ss 4–6:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a).","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"New by-laws for future conduct of affairs","content":"#### 6 New by-laws for future conduct of affairs\n\n6 New by-laws for future conduct of affairs\n\n> The executive committee for the time being of the corporation shall within two years after the passing of this Act convene by not less than three weeks’ notice by advertisement in at least three consecutive numbers of two or more of the Sydney newspapers a meeting of the persons entitled to vote for any purpose under the present rules and by-laws of the said association, and shall submit for the approval of such meeting the by-laws proposed for the future conduct of the affairs of the corporation, and the furtherance of the objects for which the said association was originally formed as hereinbefore recited, and in such by-laws provisions shall be made respecting the following matters, that is to say:\n> \n> > (a) The number, change, retirement, election, and appointment of members of the executive committee of the corporation, and of the president, secretary, treasurer, and other officers of the corporation, and the rights, powers, duties, and obligations of the members of such committee, the secretary, treasurer, and other officers of the corporation.\n> \n> > (b) The appointment of such other permanent or temporary committee as shall from time to time be required for the furtherance of the objects for which the said association was originally formed as hereinbefore recited.\n> \n> > (c) The meetings of the members of the corporation.\n> \n> > (d) The election, admission, retirement, and removal of members of the corporation.\n> \n> > (e) The rights, liabilities, and qualifications of members of the corporation.\n> \n> > (f) The mode of altering or repealing the by-laws of the corporation, and of making others, and\n> \n> > (g) the efficient management of the affairs and business of the corporation generally, and the promotion of the objects for which the said association was formed as hereinbefore recited.\n> \n> At such meeting so convened as aforesaid, or at some adjournment thereof, the proposed by-laws shall be approved of by a majority of the votes of the members of the corporation present at such meeting and voting according to the provisions of the said present rules and by-laws, and thereupon within five weeks and after the expiration of two days another meeting shall be convened for the purpose of confirming and finally passing such proposed by-laws which shall not be passed except by a like majority of votes as aforesaid, and upon such proposed by-laws being so finally passed the same shall be deemed and considered to be and shall be the by-laws for the time being of the corporation, save and except in so far as any of them are, or shall, or may be altered, varied or repealed by, or are, or shall, or may be inconsistent, or incompatible, or repugnant to any of the provisions of this Act.\n> \n> **ss 4–6:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a).","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Alteration or repeal of by-laws","content":"#### 7 Alteration or repeal of by-laws\n\n7 Alteration or repeal of by-laws\n\n> > (1) The by-laws of the corporation or any of them may from time to time be altered or repealed and new by-laws may be made in accordance with any provisions in the then existing by-laws: Provided that any alteration or repeal of any by-law and every new by-law shall be first approved of by a majority of the votes of the members present at a meeting of the corporation convened for the purpose, and shall be finally passed by a majority of votes at another meeting also convened for the purpose.\n> \n> > (2) The corporation may make by-laws, not inconsistent with the [Baptist Churches of New South Wales Property Trust Act 1984](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1984-004), for or with respect to any matter that by that Act is required or permitted to be prescribed by by-laws of the corporation or that is necessary or convenient to be so prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to that Act.\n> \n> **s 7:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a) (6).","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registration of by-laws","content":"#### 8 Registration of by-laws\n\n8 Registration of by-laws\n\n> A copy of the said by-laws or of any alteration or repeal of any by-law and of every new by-law proved to be such by the statutory declaration of the president of the corporation or by any member of the executive committee for the time being of the corporation shall be registered in the office for the registration of deeds at Sydney, and shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times by the public, and the said by-laws or any alteration or repeal of any by-law or any new by-law shall not be in force until so registered.\n> \n> **s 8:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a).","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Proof of by-laws","content":"#### 9 Proof of by-laws\n\n9 Proof of by-laws\n\n> The production of a written or printed copy of the by-laws of the corporation having the common seal of the corporation affixed thereto shall be sufficient evidence in any court of civil or criminal jurisdiction of such by-laws, and the production of a minute book of the corporation containing a minute of the proceedings of any meeting of the members of the corporation or of any meeting of the executive committee and purporting to be signed by some member of the executive committee therein represented as having presided as chairman at such meeting or having been present thereat, shall be prima facie evidence in any court of civil or criminal jurisdiction that such meeting was held as therein represented and of the proceedings thereof.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (4) (a).","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Receipt for certain money","content":"#### 10 Receipt for certain money\n\n10 Receipt for certain money\n\n> A receipt for money payable to the corporation shall exonerate the mortgagee, purchaser or other person by whom or on whose behalf the money is so payable from any liability to see to the application thereof, and from any liability for the loss, misapplication or non-application thereof, if the receipt:\n> \n> > (a) is executed in accordance with section 4 under the common seal of the corporation, or\n> \n> > (b) is in writing signed by not less than 3 persons purporting to be duly authorised for the purpose by the executive committee of the corporation.\n> \n> **s 10:** Subst 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (7).","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Exoneration from inquiry","content":"#### 11 Exoneration from inquiry\n\n11 Exoneration from inquiry\n\n> No purchaser, mortgagee, lessee or other person dealing with the corporation and neither the Registrar-General, the Crown Solicitor nor any other person registering or certifying title shall, upon any sale, exchange, mortgage, lease or other dealing purporting to be entered into by the corporation, be concerned to see or inquire into the necessity for or the propriety of the exercise by the corporation of its powers or the mode of exercising them or be affected by notice that the exercise of any such power is unauthorised, irregular or improper.\n> \n> **s 11:** Subst 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (7).","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 12\n\n12, 13 (Repealed)","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule A","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule A\n\nSchedule A","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule B","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule B\n\nSchedule B (Repealed)\n\n**sch B:** Rep 1984 No 5, Sch 1 (9).","sortOrder":25}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose: incorporating the Baptist Union of New South Wales and providing it with powers to hold property and govern itself. The 1958 amendment added section 3A to validate historical land grants, and the 1984 amendments modernised language and added the reference to the Property Trust Act, but these are natural evolutions within the original scope rather than scope creep. The Act has not expanded to regulate broader areas of law or capture unrelated functions."},"complexity_factors":["Only 1 defined term ('corporation' in section 1B)","Straightforward structure with 11 operative sections (2 repealed)","Minimal cross-referencing — only refers to the Baptist Churches of New South Wales Property Trust Act 1984 in section 7(2)","Some archaic language ('tenements, hereditaments', 'purporting', 'exonerate') but meaning is generally clear","Simple conditional logic — mostly 'if/then' provisions regarding by-law registration and voting thresholds","No nested exceptions or complex deeming provisions beyond the standard 'deemed to be' language for property transfer"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThis Act creates a legal \"body corporate\" (a legal entity that can act like a person — own property, sign contracts, sue and be sued) for the Baptist Union of New South Wales, which is an association of Baptist churches.\n\n**Key things it sets up:**\n\n*   **Legal personality:** The Baptist Union becomes a single legal entity rather than just a collection of individual members. This means it can own land, borrow money, hire staff, and go to court in its own name.\n*   **Property powers:** The Union can buy, sell, lease, and mortgage property. It also automatically took over all property that was previously held by trustees for the Baptist denomination when the Act passed in 1919.\n*   **Governance:** An executive committee (at least 12 members, including a president) runs the Union's business, holds the common seal (the official stamp used to sign documents), and can delegate powers.\n*   **By-laws:** The Union must make rules (by-laws) for how it operates — covering things like who can be a member, how committees are elected, and how meetings are run. These by-laws must be registered with the government to take effect.\n*   **Protection for people dealing with the Union:** People who buy property from the Union, lend it money, or receive payments from it are protected — they don't have to check whether the Union's internal rules were followed properly.\n*   **Validation of old land grants:** Section 3A fixes a historical problem where some land granted by the Crown (government) to the Baptist Union might have been at risk of being taken back due to old conditions being broken. This section wipes those conditions clean.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n*   Baptist churches and members in New South Wales who belong to the Baptist Union.\n*   Anyone buying, selling, or leasing property to/from the Baptist Union.\n*   Banks and lenders dealing with the Union.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nWithout this Act, the Baptist Union would just be a group of individuals with no legal standing. The Act gives the denomination legal capacity to hold property (churches, schools, retirement villages), employ people, and operate as a single organisation. The Schedule A lists eight core religious beliefs that presumably define membership or purpose — including believer's baptism by immersion, the deity of Christ, and the authority of Scripture."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act’s core scope — to incorporate the Baptist Union, vest its property, and regulate its governance — remains. Later amendments in the text validate Crown grants (s 3A), update procedural and evidentiary provisions and align by‑laws with the Baptist Churches of NSW Property Trust Act (s 7(2)), and repeal obsolete material (Schedule B), but they do not broaden the Act’s fundamental objects or add new classes of persons affected (see ss 1, 3, 3A, 7(2), Sch B)."},"complexity_factors":["Core subject-matter is narrow (incorporation and property vesting) — limited actors and purposes (s 1, s 3).","Property validation of Crown grants introduces technical land‑law effect and historical retroactivity (s 3A).","Detailed procedural requirements for internal governance and by-law changes (meeting notice, voting majorities, registration) create administrative compliance steps (s 6, s 7, s 8).","Third‑party protections (exoneration from inquiry; receipts rules) shift due‑diligence obligations away from counterparties (ss 10–11).","Interaction with later property legislation and amendments requires cross‑reference (s 7(2); amendments noted in headings)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act makes the Baptist Union of New South Wales a perpetual incorporated body, vests the association’s existing real and personal property in that corporation, and sets out how the corporation is governed by an executive committee and by-laws (ss 1, 3, 4, 6). It affects members, the executive committee, third parties who deal with the corporation, and holders of Crown land grants; it changes legal ownership and prescribes procedural and evidentiary rules for transactions and by-law registration (ss 3A, 8, 10–11)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act appears to have maintained its original, narrow purpose of incorporating the Baptist Union since 1919. The only notable administrative change was a minor renaming (from 'The Baptist Union Incorporation Act' to its current title), and a metadata update on 1 July 2018. There is no evidence of scope expansion or contraction."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow and specific scope — applies only to one religious organisation","Historical legislation from 1919 with minimal amendments over more than 100 years","Limited substantive content visible — the document as provided is largely metadata and navigation rather than the full text of the Act's provisions","Straightforward purpose: incorporation of a single named body","Private Act status means it operates outside the general legislative framework most people encounter"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act incorporates the Baptist Union of New South Wales, giving the Union a permanent legal identity so it can own property, enter contracts, sue and be sued, and manage funds in its own name. It principally affects the Union, its member churches and anyone who deals with them in property or legal transactions — securing continuity and legal certainty."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/baptist-union-incorporation-act-1919","history":"/api/acts/baptist-union-incorporation-act-1919/history","analysis":"/api/acts/baptist-union-incorporation-act-1919/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/baptist-union-incorporation-act-1919/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/baptist-union-incorporation-act-1919/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/baptist-union-incorporation-act-1919/documents"}}