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Uimhir 36 de 1933.
ACHT NA nIASACHTAITHE AIRGID, 1933.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
tá leis an abairt “iasachtaí airgid” an brí ceaptar don fhocal “moneylender” leis an Moneylenders Act, 1900, mar a leasuítear san leis an Acht so ;
cialluíonn na habairtí “ainm údaruithe” agus “seoladh údaruithe” fé seach an ainm fé n-a mbeidh agus an seoladh ag á mbeidh iasachtaí airgid údaruithe le deimhniú, ar n-a dheonadh fén Acht so, gnó mar iasachtaí airgid do dhéanamh ;
cialluíonn an abairt “ainm ghnótha” an ainm no an teideal fé n-a ndeintear aon ghnó, pe'ca i bpáirtnéireacht no eile deintear é ;
cialluíonn an focal “cuideachta” aon chólucht chorpruithe is iasachtaí airgid ;
cialluíonn an abairt “tigh gnótha” cólucht neamh-ionchorpruithe de bheirt daoine no níos mó, no duine amháin no níos mó agus corporáid amháin no níos mó, no dhá chorparáid no níos mó, atá i bpáirtnéireacht le chéile chun gnótha do dhéanamh d'fhonn brabúis d'fháil as ;
ní fholuíonn an focal “ús” aon tsuim ar n-a héileamh go dleathach de réir forálacha an Achta so ag iasachtaí airgid alos no in aghaidh costaisí, ach foluíonn an focal san, ach amháin mar adubhradh, aon mhéid, pé ainm a bheárfar air, de bhreis ar cholainn, a híocfar no bheidh iníoctha le hiasachtaí airgid i gcomaoine iasachta no in aon tslí eile alos iasachta ;
cialluíonn an focal “colann” maidir le hiasacht an méid a tugtar ar iasacht don iarrthach ;
cialluíonn an abairt “na hAchtanna um Ghnó-bhriseadh” an Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857, agus an Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872.
Náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann.
2.—Chun crícheanna an Achta so is náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann gach duine acu so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) duine do rugadh i Saorstát Éireann no sa líomatáiste gurb é Saorstát Éireann anois é ;
(b) duine do rugadh lasmuich de Shaorstát Éireann no den líomatáiste gurb é Saorstát Éireann anois é agus gur i Saorstát Éireann no sa líomatáiste sin a bhí gnáthchomhnaí ar a mháthair nuair a rugadh é ;
(c) duine bheidh ina ghnáth-chomhnaí i Saorstát Éireann le linn an ama bhaineann leis an gcás agus a bheidh tar éis bheith ina ghnáth-chomhnaí i Saorstát Éireann ar feadh cúig mblian ar a laighead as a chéile díreach roimh an am san.
Cóluchtaí corpruithe Eireannacha.
3.—(1) San Acht so cialluíonn an abairt “cólucht corpruithe Éireannach” cólucht corpruithe, ar n-a bhunú laistigh de Shaorstát Éireann, go mbeidh, le linn an ama bhaineann leis an gcás, níos mó ná leath (in ainm-luach) de sna scaireanna leis, a bheidh tugtha amach, ar únaeracht chun tairbhe ag duine bheidh, le linn an ama san, no ag beirt daoine no níos mó go mbeidh gach duine fé leith acu, le linn an ama san, ina náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann no ina chólucht chorpruithe, ar n-a bhunú laistigh de Shaorstát Éireann, go mbeidh, le linn an ama san, níos mó ná leath (in ainm-luach) de sna scaireanna leis, a bheidh tugtha amach, ar únaeracht chun tairbhe ag daoine is náisiúnaigh de Shaorstát Éireann.
(2) Chun crícheanna an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo, ach ní chun críche ar bith eile, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) má gheibheann duine is náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann bás agus má bhíonn sé le linn a bháis ina únaer chun tairbhe ar aon scaireanna i gcólucht corpruithe tuigfear, go dtí go ndeonfar probháid a uachta no litreacha riaracháin a estáit phearsanta, na scaireanna san do leanúint ar únaeracht chun tairbhe dhuine is náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann agus, ar an bprobháid no na litreacha riaracháin sin do dheonadh, an té is ionadaí pearsanta don náisiúnach san de thurus na huaire tuigfear, faid a bheidh sé i dteideal na scaireanna san mar ionadaí, gurb é is únaer chun tairbhe ar na scaireanna san, agus maran náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann é gur náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann é ; agus
(b) má thagann duine is náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann chun bheith gnó-bhriste no má dheineann sé socrú le n-a fhiach-éilitheoirí agus má bhí an náisiúnach san, le linn a ghnó-bhriste no a shocruithe, ina únaer chun tairbhe ar aon scaireanna i gcólucht corpruithe agus má thagann a leas sna scaireanna san chun bheith dílsithe ina shannaí i ngnó-bhriseadh no in iontaobhaí ar estát an náisiúnaigh sin mar fhéicheamh go mbeidh socrú á dhéanamh aige tuigfear, faid a leanfaidh an leas san dílsithe amhlaidh, na scaireanna san do bheith ar únaeracht chun tairbhe an tsannaí no an iontaobhaí sin, agus faid a leanfaidh an leas san dílsithe amhlaidh tuigfear, maran náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann an sannaí no an t-iontaobhaí sin, gur náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann é ; agus
(c) má bhíonn duine de thurus na huaire i dteideal an ioncuim a thagann as aon scaireanna bheidh ar seilbh ag iontaobhaí i gcólucht corpruithe tuigfear, faid a leanfaidh an duine sin de bheith i dteideal an ioncuim sin, gurb é is únaer chun tairbhe ar na scaireanna san ; agus
(d) má bhíonn gach duine fé leith de bheirt daoine no níos mó de thurus na huaire i dteideal ceana den ioncum a thagann as scaireanna i gcólucht corpruithe áirithe no as na scaireanna san agus as maoin eile bheidh ar seilbh ag iontaobhaí tuigfear maidir le gach duine fé leith acu san, faid a leanfa sé de bheith i dteideal ceana den ioncum san, gurb é an duine sin is únaer chun tairbhe ar chion có-réire de sna scaireanna san ; agus
(e) má deintear na scaireanna bheidh tugtha amach ag cólucht corpruithe d'aistriú go dtí bane, is cólucht corpruithe, mar urrús ar roimh-íoc agus má deintear an banc san do chlárú mar únaer na scaireanna san i gclár scaireánach an chóluchta chorpruithe sin a céadluaidhtear, tuigfear ná hoibreoidh an t-aistriú agus an clárú san chun únaerachta na scaireanna san d'aistriú go dtí an banc san.
Connartha iasachta airgid nách do réir ráta luaidhtear an t-ús ionta.
4.—I gcás ná déanfar, i gconnradh i gcóir iasachta airgid o iasachtaí airgid, an t-ús a bheidh á éileamh ar an iasacht do luadh do réir ráta déanfar aon mhéid do híocadh no is iníoctha leis an iasachtaí airgid fén gconnradh do chur i leith na colna agus an úis do réir an chothruim a bheidh idir an cholainn agus méid iomlán an úis, agus tuigfear gurb é an ráta úis a bheidh le héileamh ar an iasacht ná an ráta per cent. per annum is có-ionann leis an ús a bheidh á éileamh ar n-a áireamh do réir forálacha an Chéad Sceidil a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
Iasachtaithe airgid do thógaint ceadúnas amach.
5.—(1) Déanfaidh gach iasachtaí airgid, pe'ca ina aonar no mar pháirtnéir i dtigh ghnótha dheineann sé gnó, ceadúnas (dá ngairmtear ceadúnas iasachtaí airgid san Acht so), a raghaidh in éag an t-aonú lá triochad d'Iúl gach bliain, do thógaint amach in aghaidh na bliana alos gach seolta ag á ndeineann sé a ghnó mar iasachtaí airgid.
(2) Fé réir forálacha an Achta so, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí Ioncuim, ar cheadúnas iasachtaí airgid d'iarraidh ar na Coimisinéirí do réir rialachán ar n-a ndéanamh acu agus ar an iarratasóir d'íoc an diúité mháil leo is gá de thurus na huaire do réir dlí do dhaoine d'íoc a bhíonn ag tógaint ceadúnais iasachtaí airgid amach, déanfaid ceadúnas iasachtaí airgid do dheonadh don iarratasóir.
(3) Gach ceadúnas iasachtaí airgid a thógfaidh duine amach is ina ainm dhílis féin a thógfaidh an duine sin amach é agus má dheineann duine ar bith aon cheadúnas iasachtaí airgid do thógaint amach in ainm ar bith seachas a ainm dhílis féin beidh an ceadúnas san gan bhrí.
Chun crícheanna an fho-ailt seo isé is ainm dhílis do chuideachtain go bhfiachas teoranta ná an ainm fé n-a bhfuil an chuideachta san ionchorpruithe.
(4) Is i pé fuirm ordóidh na Coimisinéirí Ioncuim a bheidh gach ceadúnas iasachtaí airgid agus luadhfar ann ainm údaruithe agus seoladh údaruithe an duine bheidh á thógaint amach.
(5) I gcás duine ar bith—
(a) do thógaint cheadúnais iasachtaí airgid amach in ainm ar bith seachas a ainm dhílis féin ; no
(b) do dhéanamh gnótha mar iasachtaí airgid, gan ceadúnas ceart iasachtaí airgid do bheith i bhfeidhm aige á údarú dho san do dhéanamh no, agus é ceadúnaithe mar iasachtaí airgid, do dhéanamh gnótha mar iasachtaí airgid fé ainm ar bith seachas a ainm údaruithe, no in aon áit eile seachas a sheoladh no a sheolta údaruithe ; no
(c) do dhéanamh có-aontuithe ar bith i gcúrsa a ghnótha mar iasachtaí airgid maidir le hairgead do roimh-íoc no d'ais-íoc, no do thógaint aon urrúis ar airgead i gcúrsa a ghnótha mar iasachtaí airgid, i slí eile seachas fé n-a ainm údaruithe ;
beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear na pionóisí seo leanas do chur air, sé sin le rá:—
(a) más duine aonair an duine sin—
(i) pionós máil de chéad púnt má sé an chéad chionta aige é, agus
(ii) pionós máil de chéad púnt no príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná trí mhí no an pionós máil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile má sé an dara cionta aige é no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin ;
(b) más cuideachta an duine sin—
(i) pionós máil de chéad púnt má sé an chéad chionta aige é, agus
(ii) pionós máil de chúig céad púnt má sé an dara cionta aige é no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin.
Deimhniú is gá chun ceadúnais iasachtaí airgid do dheonadh.
6.—(1) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo ní déanfar ceadúnas iasachtaí airgid do dheonadh ach amháin do dhuine ag á mbeidh deimhniú ar n-a dheonadh do réir forálacha an ailt seo agus á údarú an ceadúnas do dheonadh don duine sin, agus teastóidh deimhniú fé leith alos gach ceadúnais fé leith. Aon cheadúnas iasachtaí airgid a deonfar contrárdha don alt so beidh sé gan bhrí.
(2) Isé dheonfaidh deimhnithe fén alt so (dá ngairmtear “deimhnithe” san Acht so) ná an Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche go ndlighinse sa líomatáiste Cúirte Dúithche ina mbeidh gnó an iasachtaí airgid le déanamh.
(3) Ní deonfar deimhniú fén alt so d'aon iarratasóir mara dtugaidh an t-iarratasóir sin cruthúnas sásúil, más duine aonair é, gur náisiúnach de Shaorstát Éireann ar dháta an iarratais an t-iarratasóir sin no, más cuideachta é, gur cólucht corpruithe Éireannach ar an dáta san an t-iarratasóir sin.
(4) Taisbeánfar i ngach deimhniú deonfar d'iasachtaí airgid ainm dhílis an iasachtaí airgid sin agus an ainm fé n-a mbeidh sé údaruithe agus an seoladh ag á mbeidh sé údaruithe leis an deimhniú gnó do dhéanamh mar iasachtaí airgid, agus ní dhéanfaidh deimhniú a údarú d'iasachtaí airgid gnó do dhéanamh ag níos mó ná aon tscoladh amháin, ná fé níos mó ná aon ainm amháin, ná fé aon ainm ina mbeidh an focal “banc” no thabharfaidh le tuiscint i slí eile gnó bancaerachta do bheith á dhéanamh aige, agus ní dhéanfaidh deimhniú ar bith a údarú d'iasachtaí airgid gnó do dhéanamh fé ainm ar bith ach amháin—
(a) fé n-a ainm dhílis ; no
(b) fé ainm tighe ghnótha ina bhfuil sé ina pháirtnéir, agus nách tigh gnótha is gá do réir an Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, do chlárú ; no
(c) fé ainm ghnótha, pe'ca ainm duine aonair no ainm tighe ghnótha ina bhfuil sé ina pháirtnéir í, fé n-a bhfuil sé no an tigh gnótha, le linn an Achta so do rith, tar éis bheith cláruithe ar feadh trí bliana ar a laighead mar iasachtaí airgid fén Moneylenders Act, 1900, agus fós fén Registration of Business Names Act, 1916.
(5) Tiocfaidh deimhniú i bhfeidhm an dáta bheidh luaidhte ann agus ragha sé in éag an chéad aonú lá triochad d'Iúl ina dhiaidh sin.
(6) Déanfaidh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt rialacha i dtaobh an nósimeachta bhainfidh le hiarrataisí do dhéanamh ag lorg deimhnithe (le n-a n-áirmhítear no fógraí bheidh le tabhairt i dtaobh é bheith ar aigne iarratas den tsórt san do dhéanamh) agus is sa bhfuirm a hordófar leis na rialacha déanfar amhlaidh a bheidh na deimhnithe.
(7) Gach riail a dhéanfaidh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt fén alt so leagfar é fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a déanta agus má dheineann ceachtar Tigh den Oireachtas, laistigh den lá is fiche shuidhfidh an Tigh sin tar éis na rialach do leagadh fé n-a bhráid, rún do rith ag cur na rialach san ar nea-mbrí beidh an riail sin curtha ar nea-mbrí dá réir sin ach beidh san gan dochar do dhleathacht éinní do rinneadh roimhe sin fén riail sin.
(8) Ní diúltófar do dheimhniú do dheonadh ach amháin ar chúis no ar chúiseanna éigin acu so leanas:—
(a) go dtoirmisctear le fo-alt (3) den alt so an deimhniú do dheonadh don iarratasóir ;
(b) nár tugadh cruthúnas sásúil maidir le dea-iompar an iarratasóra, agus, i gcás cuideachtan, maidir le dea-iompar na ndaoine atá freagarthach i mbainistí na cuideachtan san ;
(c) gur tugadh cruthúnas sásúil nách duine é an t-iarratasóir, no éinne atá freagarthach no atá chun bheith freagarthach i mbainistí a ghnótha mar iasachtaí airgid, is duine ceart oiriúnach chun deimhnithe do bheith aige ;
(d) go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir, no éinne atá freagarthach no atá chun bheith freagarthach i mbainistí a ghnótha mar iasachtaí airgid, dí-cháilithe do réir ordú cúirte chun deimhnithe do bheith aige ;
(e) go ndearna an t-iarratasóir forálacha aon rialacha, ar n-a ndéanamh fén alt so i dtaobh iarrataisí ar dheimhnithe, d'fhágaint gan cólíonadh ;
(f) gur theip ar an iarratasóir a chur ina luighe ar an gcúirt gur duine é atá tacúil i gcúrsaí airgid ;
(g) gur sealbhóir ar cheadúnas geall-ghlacadóra an t-iarratasóir ;
(h) gur sealbhóir ar cheadúnas chun deochanna meisciúla do dhíol an t-iarratasóir.
(9) Beidh sé de cheart ag ceannphort de Ghárda Síochána an líomatáiste Chúirte Dúithche, no ag duine ar bith a chomhnuíonn sa líomataiste Cúirte Dúithche, ina mbeidh deimhniú á iarraidh teacht os cóir na cúirte agus cur i gcoinnibh deimhniú do dheonadh ar aon chúis no cúiseanna dhíobh san a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo agus éisteacht d'fháil agus fínnithe do ghlaoch mar thaca le n-a agóid.
(10) Féadfaidh duine ar bith ar a ngoillfe sé Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche do dhiúltú do dheimhniú do dheonadh athchomharc do dhéanamh chun an Bhreithimh den Chúirt Chuarda gur laistigh dá Chuaird a bheidh gnó an iasachtaí airgid le déanamh, agus beidh breith an Bhreithimh sin ina breith dheiridh nách féidir athchomharc do dhéanamh ina coinnibh.
(11) Pé uair a diúltófar do ghéilleadh d'iarratas ar dheimhniú agus a lóisteálfar athchomharc i gcoinnibh an diúltuithe sin, ansan, má bhí an t-iarratasóir ina shealbhóir ar cheadúnas iasachtaí airgid le linn an iarratais do dhéanamh, féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí Ioncuim, gan aon diúité do bheith íoctha ach fé réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leo d'fhorchur, ceadúnas sealadach, go ceann pé tréimhse is oiriúnach leo agus nách sia ná deireadh seacht lá tar éis na breithe do bheith tugtha ar an athchomharc san, do thabhairt amach don iarratasóir sin, agus beidh gach ceadúnas sealadach den tsórt san, faid a bheidh sé i bhfeidhm, ina cheadúnas iasachtaí airgid do réir bhrí an Achta so.
Deimhnithe iasachtaithe airgid do chur ar fiunraoi agus do gheallbhruideadh.
7.—(1) Má deintear duine ar bith is sealbhóir ar dheimhniú do chiontú i gcionta ar bith fén Acht so no fé alt 2 no 4 den Betting and Loans (Infants) Act, 1892, no fé alt 4 den Moneylenders Act, 1900—
(a) féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú go ndéanfar deimhniú ar bith a bheidh ag an duine sin agus, i gcás páirtnéara i dtigh gnótha, deimhniú ar bith a bheidh ag aon pháirtnéir eile sa tigh ghnótha do chur ar fiunraoi go ceann pé tréimhse is oiriúnach leis an gcúirt no do gheallbhruideadh, agus féadfaidh freisin, más oiriúnach san leis an gcúirt, a dhearbhú duine ar bith den tsórt san, no duine ar bith a bheidh freagarthach i mbainistí an ghnótha iasachta airgid a bheidh á dhéanamh ag an duine ciontófar, do bheith dí-cháilithe chun deimhnithe do bheith aige go ceann pé tréimhse is oiriúnach leis an gcúirt ; agus
(b) cuirfidh an chúirt fé ndeár go ndéanfar mion-innste i dtaobh an chiontuithe agus i dtaobh aon orduithe dhéanfaidh an chúirt fén bhfo-alt so do chúl-scríobhadh ar gach deimhniú bheidh ar seilbh ag an duine ciontófar no ag duine ar bith eile le n-a mbainfidh an t-ordú, agus cuirfidh fé ndeár go ndéanfar cóipeanna de sna mion-innste sin do chur chun an údaráis do dheon aon deimhniú ar a gcúl-scríobhfar amhlaidh agus chun na gCoimisinéirí Ioncuim.
(2) Má deintear, le hordú cúirte, deimhniú bheidh ag duine ar bith do chur ar fiunraoi no do gheallbhruideadh, no duine ar bith do dhí-cháiliú chun deimhnithe do bheith aige, féadfaidh an duine sin, pe'ca isé an duine ciontuíodh é no nách é, athchomharc do dhéanamh i gcoinnibh an orduithe sa tslí chéanna inar féidir le héinne ciontuítear athchomharc do dhéanamh i gconnibh a chiontuithe, agus féadfaidh an chúirt, más oiriúnach léi é, oibriú an orduithe do mhoilliú go dtí go mbeidh deireadh leis an athchomharc.
(3) Aon deimhniú theastóidh o chúirt chun cúl-scríbhne do chur air do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo san alt so, déanfaidh an duine ag á mbeidh sé ar seilbh é do thabhairt i láthair, sa tslí agus laistigh den am ordóidh an chúirt, agus duine ar bith ar a dteipfidh, gan chúis réasúnta, aon deimhniú a theastóidh amhlaidh do thabhairt i láthair amhlaidh beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint do chur air in aghaidh gach lae leanfaidh an teip.
(4) Má horduítear deimhniú bheidh ag duine ar bith do chur ar fiunraoi no do gheallbhruideadh fé sna forálacha san roimhe seo den alt so, beidh aon cheadúnaisí iasachtaithe airgid a bheidh deonta don duine sin, de réir an deimhnithe sin no do réir aon deimhnithe eile, ar fiunraoi ar feadh na tréimhse gur le n-a linn a horduítear an deimhniú do chur ar fiunraoi no beid gan bhrí, do réir mar bheidh.
Toirmeasc le scríbhinní do thabhairt amach á thabhairt le tuiscint gur bancaer iasachtaí airgid.
8.—Má dheineann iasachtaí airgid, chun crícheanna a ghnótha mar iasachtaí airgid, aon fhógrán, cearclán no scríbhinn d'aon chineál ar bith, ina mbeidh abairtí go bhféadfaí go réasúnta a rá go dtugaid le tuiscint go mbíonn gnó bancaerachta á dhéanamh aige, do thabhairt amach no d'fhoillsiú, no a chur fé ndeár an céanna do thabhairt amach no d'fhoillsiú, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear na pionóisí seo leanas do chur air, sé sin le rá:—
(a) más duine aonair an duine sin—
(i) fíneáil ná raghaidh thar céad púnt má sé an chéad chionta aige é, agus
(ii) fíneáil ná raghaidh thar céad púnt no príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná trí mhí no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile má sé an dara cionta aige é no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin ;
(b) más cuideachta an duine sin—
(i) fíneáil ná raghaidh thar céad púnt má sé an chéad chionta aige é, agus
(ii) fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig céad púnt má sé an dara cionta aige é no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin.
Ainmneacha do luadh i scríbhinní bhéarfaidh iasachtaithe airgid amach.
9.—(1) Beidh baint ag fo-alt (2) d'alt 2 den Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917 (a cheangalann mion-innste áirithe d'fhoillsiú i gclár-liostaí trádála, i gcearcláin trádála, i gcártaí taisbeántais agus i leitreacha gnótha) go sna hatharuithe is gá, le gach cuideachtain a ceadúnófar fén Acht so.
(2) Gan dochar d'fhorálacha an ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo agus ailt 18 den Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, ní dhéanfaidh iasachtaí airgid, chun crícheanna a ghnótha mar iasachtaí airgid, aon fhógrán, cearclán, leitir ghnótha ná scríbhinn eile den tsaghas san do thabhairt amach ná d'fhoillsiú, ná a chur fé ndeár an céanna do thabhairt amach no d'fhoillsiú, ná taisbeánfaidh—
(a) i slí nách lugha so-fheicseanas di ná d'aon ainm eile ainm údaruithe an iasachtaí airgid ; agus
(b) ach amháin i gcás fógráin a foillseofar i bpáipéar nuachta, aon ainm, seachas a ainm údaruithe, fé n-a raibh an t-iasachtaí airgid, agus i gcás tighe ghnótha aon pháirtnéir sa tigh ghnótha san, cláruithe roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so mar iasachtaí airgid fén Moneylenders Act, 1900 ;
agus iasachtaí airgid ar bith a dhéanfaidh aon ghníomh is sárú ar an bhfo-alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén bhfo-alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air.
Srian le fógráin i dtaobh airgid do thabhairt ar iasacht agus toirmeasc le canbhasálaithe d'fhostú.
10.—(1) Fé réir forálacha an chéad fho-ailt ina dhiaidh seo ní chuirfidh éinne go dtí duine ar bith ná ní sheachadfaidh do dhuine ar bith i Saorstát Éireann go feasach, ná ní chuirfidh fé ndeár go feasach go gcuirfear go dtí duine ar bith no go seachadfar do dhuine ar bith i Saorstát Éireann, ach amháin ar an duine sin dá iarraidh sin i scríbhinn, aon chearclán ná scríbhinn eile ag fógairt ainme, seolta no uimhir thelefóna iasachtaí airgid, no ina mbeidh cuireadh—
(a) chun airgid d'fháil ar iasacht o iasachtaí airgid ;
(b) chun aon ghnótha do dhéanamh inar ghá airgead d'fháil ar iasacht o iasachtaí airgid ;
(c) chun iarratais do chur go dtí áit ar bith d'fhonn eolais no comhairle d'fháil maidir le haon airgead d'fháil ar iasacht o iasachtaí airgid.
(2) D'ainneoin éinní atá sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo féadfar cárta gnótha bheidh do réir a n-éilíonn an t-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo do chur tríd an bpost mara mbeidh éinní ann de bhreis ar na mion-innste is gá chun é do bheith do réir a n-éilíonn an t-alt san ach amháin aon cheann de sna mion-innste seo leanas, sé sin le rá, aon tseoladh údaruithe ag á mbíonn gnó mar iasachtaí airgid á dhéanamh aige agus seoladh telegrafa agus uimhir thelefóna an tseolta údaruithe sin, aon tseoladh ag á raibh gnó á dhéanamh aige roimhe sin, ráiteas á chur in úil go dtugann sé airgead ar iasacht fé urrús no dá éamais agus ag luadh na suimeanna is mó agus is lugha atá sé sásta do thabhairt ar iasacht, agus ráiteas i dtaobh an dáta ar ar bunuíodh ar dtúis an gnó atá á dhéanamh aige.
(3) Fé réir forálacha an chéad fho-ailt ina dhiaidh seo ní fhoillseoidh duine ar bith ná ní chuirfidh fé ndeár go bhfoillseofar, in aon pháipéar nuachta ná in aon pháipéar clóbhuailte eile a tugtar amach go tréimhsiúil i gcóir a léighte ag an bpobal ná tré aon phóstaer no placárd, fógrán ag fógairt aon mhion-innste den tsórt, no ina mbeidh aon chuireadh den tsórt, a luaidhtear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt so.
(4) D'ainneoin éinní atá sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo féadfaidh iasachtaí airgid no féadfar thar a cheann fógrán a bheidh do réir a n-éilíonn an t-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo d'fhoillsiú in aon pháipéar nuachta no in aon pháipéar den tsórt adubhradh no tré phóstaer no placárd ar n-a thaisbeáint ag aon tseoladh údaruithe a bheidh ag an iasachtaí airgid, mara mbeidh éinní ann de bhreis ar na mion-innste is gá chun é bheith do réir a n-éilíonn an t-alt san ach amháin aon cheann de sna mion-innste seo leanas, sé sin le rá, aon tseoladh údaruithe ag á mbíonn gnó mar iasachtaí airgid á dhéanamh aige agus seoladh telegrafa agus uimhir thelefóna an tseolta údaruithe sin, aon tseoladh ag á raibh gnó á dhéanamh aige roimhe sin, ráiteas á chur in úil go dtugann sé airgead ar iasacht fé urrús no dá éamais agus ag luadh na suimeanna is mó agus is lugha atá sé sásta do thabhairt ar iasacht, agus ráiteas i dtaobh an dáta ar ar buníodh ar dtúis an gnó atá á dhéanamh aige.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh aon iasachtaí airgid ná aon duine thar a cheann gníomhaire ná canbhasálaí ar bith d'fhostú chun iarraidh ar éinne airgead d'fháil ar iasacht no aon ghnó do dhéanamh inar ghá airgead d'fháil ar iasacht o iasachtaí airgid, agus ní ghníomhóidh duine ar bith mar ghníomhaire no canbhasálaí den tsórt san, ná ní éileoidh ná ní ghlacfaidh go díreach no go neadhíreach aon tsuim ná comaoine luachmhar eile i bhfuirm coimisiúin no eile as ucht aon duine gur mian leis airgead d'fháil ar iasacht do chur in aithne, ná as ucht a gheallúint é do chur in aithne, d'iasachtaí airgid.
(6) I gcás aon scríbhinne bhéarfaidh iasachtaí airgid amach no fhoillseoidh sé, no bhéarfar amach no foillseofar thar a cheann, do thabhairt le tuiscint cadiad na téarmaí úis ar a mbeidh sé sásta iasachtaí no aon iasacht airithe do thabhairt uaidh, luadhfar sa scríbhinn do réir ráta per cent. per annum an t-ús a beifear ar aigne d'éileamh no taisbeánfar inti an ráta per cent. per annum is có-ionann leis an ús a beifear ar aigne d'éileamh ar n-a áireamh do réir forálacha an Chéad Sceidil a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
(7) Duine ar bith a dhéanfaidh aon ghníomh is sárú ar aon cheann d'fhorálacha an ailt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air no príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná mí no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile más duine aonair é, agus fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt más cuideachta é.
(8) Má taisbeántar gur tré aon cheann d'fhorálacha an ailt seo do shárú do tugadh suim airgid ar iasacht, ansan, d'ainneoin an iasachtaí airgid do bheith ceadúnaithe go cuibhe fén Acht so, beidh an tabhairt sin nea-dhleathach mara gcruthuighidh an t-iasachtaí airgid gur gan a chead agus gan congnamh uaidh do thárla an sárú.
Fuirm chonnartha iasachtaithe airgid.
11.—(1) Ní hinfheidhmithe do chonnradh ar bith chun iarrthaigh d'aisíoc airgid a bhéarfaidh iasachtaí airgid ar iasacht do no d'aon ghníomhaire thar a cheann tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so no chun é d'íoc úis ar airgead a bhéarfar ar iasacht amhlaidh, ná fós d'urrús ar bith a bhéarfaidh iarrthach no aon ghníomhaire den tsórt san roimhráite uaidh alos aon chonnartha den tsórt san, ní hinfheidhmithe do cheachtar acu san mara ndeinidh an t-iarrthach no, más bean phósta an t-iarrthach agus í ina comhnaí i dteanta a fir chéile, mara ndeinidh an t-iarrthach agus a fear céile, roimh an airgead do thabhairt ar iasacht no roimh an urrús do thabhairt, do réir mar bheidh, nóta no memorandum i scríbhinn i dtaobh an chonnartha do chur le chéile agus é do shighniú go pearsanta, agus mara ndeintear cóip den nóta no den mhemorandum san do sheachadadh don iarrthach no do chur chun an iarrthaigh laistigh de sheacht lá tar éis an chonnartha do dhéanamh.
(2) Beidh sa nóta no sa mhemorandum roimhráite téarmaí uile an chonnartha, agus go sonnrách luadhfar ann dáta tabhartha na hiasachta, méid colna na hiasachta, agus fós an t-ús a bheidh á éileamh ar an iasacht agus é curtha síos do réir ráta per cent. per annum no an ráta per cent. per annum is có-ionann leis an ús a bheidh á éileamh ar n-a áireamh do réir forálacha an Chéad Sceidil a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
Toirmeasc le hús ar ús.
12.—Beidh connradh ar bith a déanfar tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so chun iasachtaí airgid do thabhairt iasacht airgid uaidh, beidh san nea-dhleathach sa mhéid go socrófar leis, go díreach no go nea-dhíreach, ús ar ús d'íoc no ráta no méid an úis do mhéadú de dheascaibh aon teipe in íoc suimeanna bheidh dlite fén gconnradh.
E do bheith mar oblagáid ar iasachtaí airgid eolas maidir le staid iasachta agus cóipeanna de scríbhinní bhaineann léi do thabhairt uaidh.
13.—(1) Déanfaidh iasachtaí airgid alos gach connartha chun aisíoctha airgid a bhéarfaidh an t-iasachtaí airgid sin ar iasacht, pe'ca roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so no dá éis sin a rinneadh no a déanfar an connradh san, déanfaidh, ar an iarrthach do dhéanamh aon éilimh réasúnta i scríbhinn tráth ar bith faid is ann don chonnradh agus ar an iarrthach do thairiscint scillinge i gcóir costaisí, ráiteas a thabhairt don iarrthach no, má iarrann an t-iarrthach san, do dhuine ar bith a bheidh luaidhte chuige sin san éileamh, ráiteas fé láimh an iasachtaí airgid no a ghníomhaire ina dtaisbeánfar—
(a) dáta tabhartha na hiasachta, méid colna na hiasachta agus ráta per cent. per annum an úis atá á éileamh ; agus
(b) méid aon íocaíochta bheidh faighte cheana féin ag an iasachtaí airgid alos na hiasachta agus an dáta ar ar híocadh í ; agus
(c) méid gach suime bheidh dlite an uair sin don iasachtaí airgid, ach a bheidh gan íoc, agus an dáta ar ar tháinig sí chun bheith dlite, agus an méid úis a bheidh dlite chun a íoctha an uair sin agus a bheidh gan íoc alos gach suime den tsórt san ; agus
(d) méid gach suime bheidh gan bheith dlite fós agus a bheidh gan íoc, agus an dáta ar a dtiocfa sí chun bheith dlite.
(2) Déanfaidh iasachtaí airgid, ar an iarrthach do dhéanamh aon éilimh réasúnta i scríbhinn agus ar é do thairiscint suime réasúnta i gcóir costaisí, cóip d'aon scríbhinn i dtaobh iasachta do thug sé uaidh, no i dtaobh aon urrúis ar an iasacht san, do thabhairt don iarrthach, no, má iarrann an t-iarrthach san, do dhuine ar bith a bheidh luaidhte chuige sin san éileamh.
(3) Má thárlann d'iasachtaí airgid ar a ndéanfar éileamh fén alt so é do theip air, gan leathscéal réasúnta, déanamh do réir an éilimh sin laistigh de mhí tar éis an éilimh do dhéanamh, ní bheidh sé i dteideal, faid a leanfaidh an teip, dul chun dlí mar gheall ar aon tsuim, ná aon tsuim do bhaint amach, a bheidh dlite fén gconnradh alos colna no alos úis, ná ní bheidh ús inéilithe in aghaidh tréimhse na teipe, agus má thárlann an teip sin no má leantar di tar éis an ama chun dul ar aghaidh le himeachta dlí mar gheall ar an iasacht beidh an t-iasachtaí airgid ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint do chur air in aghaidh gach lae leanfaidh an teip.
Conbharsáidí i scríbhinn o iasachtaithe airgid go dtí iarrthaigh.
14.—(1) Ní bheidh sé dleathach d'aon iasachtaí airgid ná do ghníomhaire iasachtaí airgid aon chonbharsáid i scríbhinn, i dtaobh iasachta airgid, do chur go dtí an t-iarrthach no go dtí an duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach, mara gcuirtear an chonbharsáid sin chuige i gclúdach séaluithe ar a mbeidh an focal “pearsanta” scríbhte agus gan aon fhocail eile air ach amháin ainm no ainm agus seoladh an iarrthaigh no an duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach.
(2) Má dheineann duine ar bith aon ghníomh is sárú ar an alt so beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air.
Cuarda ag iasachtaithe airgid.
15.—(1) Ní bheidh sé dleathach d'aon iasachtaí airgid ná do ghníomhaire iasachtaí airgid cuaird do thabhairt, chun crícheanna bhaineann le hiasacht airgid, ar an iarrthach, ná ar an duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach, in aon áit ’na mbíonn an t-iarrthach no an duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach ar fostú no ag déanamh gnótha, maran san áit sin a bhíonn comhnaí ar an iarrthach no ar an duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach.
(2) Má dheineann aon iasachtaí airgid no aon ghníomhaire iasachtaí airgid gníomh ar bith is sárú ar an alt so beidh an t-iasachtaí airgid no an gníomhaire sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air.
Forálacha i dtaobh imeachta um ghnó-bhriseadh maidir le hiasachtaí iasachtaithe airgid.
16.—(1) I gcás úis do bheith ina chuid d'fhiacha bheidh dlite d'iasachtaí airgid alos iasachta a bhéarfaidh sé uaidh tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so, déanfar, chun crícheanna na bhforálacha de sna hAchtanna um Ghnó-bhriseadh a bhaineann le hachuinge um ghnó-bhriseadh do thíolacadh, le vótáil ag cruinnithe, le có-shocruithe agus scéimeanna socruithe, agus le dividendum, an t-ús san d'áireamh do réir ráta nách mó ná cúig per cent. per annum, ach ní dhéanfaidh éinní atá sa bhforáil sin roimhe seo dochar do cheart an fhiach-éilitheora chun aon ráta úis, is aoirde ná san agus dá mbeidh sé i dteideal, d'fháil amach as an estát tar éis na bhfiacha go léir a cruthófar i gcoinnibh an estáit do bheith íoctha in iomlán.
(2) Ní déanfar aon chruthúnas ná admháil, ar fhiacha do bheith dlite d'iasachtaí airgid alos iasachta do thug sé uaidh, do ghlacadh chun aon chríche de chrícheanna na nAchtanna um Ghnó-bhriseadh mara lóisteálaidh an t-iasachtaí airgid sa Chúirt ráiteas ina dtaisbeánfar go mion beacht—
(a) méid na suimeanna do tugadh ar iasacht don fhéicheamh agus na dátaí ar ar tugadh iad agus méid gach íocaíochta bheidh faighte cheana féin ag an iasachtaí airgid alos na hiasachta agus an dáta ar ar híocadh gach íocaíocht acu san ; agus
(b) méid an iarmhéide bheidh gan íce ag idirdhealú idir méid na colna agus an méid úis a bheidh san iarmhéid sin, agus an cur-i-leith maidir le colainn agus le hús do dhéanamh do réir forálacha an Achta so i gcás gan an t-ús do bheith luaidhte do réir ráta sa chonnradh i gcóir na hiasachta ; agus
(c) i gcás an méid úis a bheidh san iarmhéid a bheidh gan íoc do bheith có-ionann le ráta per cent. per annum is mó ná cúig per cent., an méid úis a bheadh san iarmhéid sin dá mba do réir ráta cúig per cent. per annum do háirmheofaí é.
(3) Féadfar, le rialacha cúirte, socrú do dhéanamh chun cuspóirí an ailt seo do chur in éifeacht.
Leasuithe ar an Moneylenders Act, 1900.
17.—(1) Más rud é, in aon imeachta a héistfear tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so mar gheall ar aon airgead a bhéarfaidh iasachtaí airgid ar iasacht tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith no mar gheall ar aon chó-aontú déanfar no aon urrús a tógfar tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith alos airgid do tugadh no do bhéarfar ar iasacht roimh dháta an Achta so do rith no dá éis sin, go bhfuighfear gur mó an t-ús do héilíodh ná ráta naoi triochad per cent. per annum no an ráta có-réire in aghaidh tréimhse ar bith eile, measfaidh an chúirt, chun crícheanna ailt 1 den Moneylenders Act, 1900, an t-ús do héilíodh do bheith iomarcach agus an gnó do bheith cruadhálach nea-choinsiasach agus ní bheidh dul thar an meas san, ach beidh an fhoráil seo gan dochar do chomhachta na Cúirte fén alt san i gcás ’nar deimhin leis an gCúirt an t-ús do héilíodh do bheith iomareach cé nách mó é ná naoi triochad per cent. per annum.
(2) Má dheineann Cúirt gnó áirithe do rinne iasachtaí airgid d'ath-oscailt fén alt san 1 den Moneylenders Act, 1900, mar a leasuítear san leis an Acht so, féadfaidh an Chúirt a cheangal ar an iasachtaí airgid aon deimhniú do tugadh do do réir forálacha an Achta so do thabhairt i láthair agus féadfaidh a chur fé ndeár go ndéanfar na mion-innste sin is mian leis an gCúirt do chúl-scríobhadh ar aon deimhniú den tsórt san agus cóip de sna mion-innste do chur chun an údaráis do dheon an deimhniú.
Toirmeasc le hiasachtaithe airgid do dhéanamh éilimh alos costaisí i dtaobh iasacht.
18.—Má deintear aon chó-aontú idir iasachtaí airgid agus iarrthach, no duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach, chun an iarrthaigh no an duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach d'íoc aon tsuime leis an iasachtaí airgid alos costaisí, éilithe no caiteachaisí gheobhaidh no bhainfidh leis an margánaíocht i dtaobh na hiasachta no i dtaobh na hiasachta bheidh beartuithe no le n-a dheonadh san beidh an có-aontú san nea-dhleathach, agus má dheineann iarrthach no duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach aon tsuim d'íoc le hiasachtaí airgid i dtaobh no alos aon chostaisí, éilithe no caiteachaisí den tsórt san, beidh an tsuim sin ionbhainte amach mar fhiacha bheidh dlite don iarrthach no don duine bheidh ar aigne bheith ina iarrthach no, i gcás an iasacht do bheith tugtha, déanfar, mara mbaintear an tsuim sin amach amhlaidh, í do chur i gcoinnibh an mhéide do tugadh ar iasacht agus tuigfear an méid sin do bheith laigheaduithe dá réir sin.
Teora leis an am i gcóir imeachta alos airgid a bheidh tugtha ar iasacht ag iasachtaithe airgid.
19.—(1) Ní luighfidh aon imeachta chun iasachtaí airgid do bhaint aon airgid amach a bhéarfa sé ar iasacht tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so ná chun é do bhaint aon úis amach alos an airgid sin, ná chun feidhmithe aon chó-aontuithe déanfar ná aon urrúis a tógfar tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so alos aon iasachta bheidh tugtha uaidh aige, mara dtosnuítear na himeachta roimh dheireadh trí mblian ón dáta ar ar eirigh cúis an aicsin:
Ach—
(a) má dheineann an féicheamh, i rith na tréimhse de thrí bliana roimhráite no aon uair laistigh d'aon tréimhse ina dhiaidh sin go bhféadfar le n-a linn de bhuadh an phroviso so imeachta do bhunú, an méid a bheidh dlite d'admháil i scríbhinn agus geallúint i scríbhinn do thabhairt don iasachtaí airgid go n-íocfaidh an méid sin féadfar imeachta, chun an mhéid a bheidh dlite do bhaint amach, do bhunú aon uair laistigh de thréimhse trí mblian o dháta na hadmhála agus na geallúna ;
(b) an t-am a ceaptar leis na forálacha san roimhe seo den alt so chun tosnuithe ar imeachta ní thosnóidh sé ar bheith á chaitheamh alos aon íocaíochtaí thiocfaidh o am go ham chun bheith dlite d'iasachtaí airgid fé chonnradh i gcóir iasachta airgid go n-eirghe cúis aicsin alos na híocaíochta deiridh a thiocfaidh chun bheith dlite fén gconnradh ;
(c) i gcás an duine bheidh i dteideal na himeachta do bhunú do bheith non compos mentis an dáta ar a n-eireoidh cúis an aicsin no ar a dtabharfaidh an féicheamh aon admháil agus geallúint den tsórt san roimhráite, ansan. an t-am a ceaptar leis na forálacha san roimhe seo den alt so chun tosnuithe ar imeachta ní thosnóidh sé ar bheith á chaitheamh go dtí go scurfidh an duine sin de bheith non compos mentis no go dtí go bhfuighidh bás, pe'ca ní acu san is túisce thárlóidh ; agus
(d) i gcás an fhéichimh do bheith thar lear an dáta ar a n-eireoidh cúis an aicsin no ar a dtabharfaidh an féicheamh aon admháil agus geallúint den tsórt san roimhráite, ansan, an t-am a ceaptar leis na forálacha san roimhe seo den alt so chun tosnuithe ar imeachta ní thosnóidh sé ar bheith á chaitheamh go dtí go bhfillfidh an féicheamh thar lear anall, i slí ámh go mbeidh éifeacht ag alt 11 den Mercantile Law Amendment Act, 1856 (alt a bhaineann le tréimhse do cheapadh i gcóir aicsean i gcoinnibh có-fhéicheamh nuair a bhíonn cuid acu thar lear) amhail agus dá mbeadh an t-alt so ar na hachtacháin dá dtagartar san alt san mar achtacháin le n-a gceaptar tréimhse chun dul ar aghaidh le haicsean.
An Chúirt do chur deireadh le connradh iasachta airgid.
20.—Más rud é, nuair a bhunóidh iasachtaí airgid imeachta alos teipe in íoc aon tsuime bheidh dlite dho fé chonnradh i gcóir iasachta airgid, go mbeidh aon tsuim eile fén gconnradh gan íoc ach ná beidh an tsuim sin dlite fós, féadfaidh an chúirt, gan dochar do chomhachta Cúirte fé alt 1 den Moneylenders Act, 1900, fé mar atá san leasuithe leis an Acht so, deireadh do chur leis an gconnradh agus a ordú go ndéanfar an méid colna bheidh amuich d'íoc leis an iasachtaí airgid maraon le pé ús uirthi sin, más ann do, lomhálfaidh an chúirt go dtí dáta na híocaíochta.
Toírmeasc le gnó iasachta airgid do dhéanamh ar an Domhnach agus ar laetheanta saoire áirithe.
21.—Ní dhéanfaidh duine ar bith gnó mar iasachtaí airgid, go pearsanta ná tré n-a ghníomhaire, ar an Domhnach, Lá Nodlag, Aoine an Chéasta ná Lá Fhéile Pádraig, agus aon iasachtaí airgid a dhéanfaidh gníomh ar bith is sárú ar an alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air.
Fógra agus eolas do thabhairt ar fhiacha iasachtaithe airgid do shannadh.
22.—Má deintear fiacha ar bith alos airgid do thug iasachtaí airgid ar iasacht roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so no dá éis sin no alos úis ar aon fhiacha den tsórt san, no tairbhe aon chó-aontuithe do rinneadh no urrúis a tógadh alos aon fhiacha no úis den tsórt san, do shannadh do shannaí ar bith déanfaidh an sannóir (pe'ca isé an t-iasachtaí airgid do thug an t-airgead ar iasacht é no aon duine dár sannadh na fiacha roimhe sin) déanfaidh, sara ndeintear an sannadh—
(a) fógra i scríbhinn do thabhairt don tsannaí go ndeineann oibriú an Achta so deifir do sna fiacha, don chó-aontú no don urrús ; agus
(b) gach eolas do thabhairt don tsannaí is gá chun a chur ar a chumas déanamh do réir forálacha an Achta so bhaineann leis an oblagáid sin eolas maidir le staid iasacht agus cóipeanna de scríbhinní bhaineann leo do thabhairt uaidh ;
agus duine ar bith a dhéanfaidh aon ghníomh is sárú ar aon cheann d'fhorálacha an ailt seo dlighfe sé duine ar bith eile do shlánú dá ndéanfaidh an sárú dochar agus fós beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar céad púnt no príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná trí mhí do chur air más duine aonair é agus fíneáil ná raghaidh thar céad púnt más cuideachta é.
(2) San alt so cialluíonn an abairt “do shannadh” sannadh do dhéanamh le haon tsannadh inter vivos seachas sannadh tré oibriú dlí, agus is bríonna có-réire atá leis na focail “sannóir” agus “sannaí.”
Feidhm an Achta maidir le sannaithe.
23.—(1) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo, leanfaidh forálacha an Achta so d'fheidhm do bheith acu maidir le fiacha ar bith bheidh dlite d'iasachtaí airgid alos airgid do bhéarfa sé ar iasacht tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so no alos úis ar airgead do bhéarfar ar iasacht amhlaidh no maidir le tairbhe aon chó-aontuithe déanfar no urrúis a tógfar alos aon fhiacha no úis den tsórt san d'ainneoin na fiacha no tairbhe an chó-aontuithe no an urrúis do shannadh d'aon tsannaí, agus, ach amháin mara n-éilíonn an có-théacs a mhalairt, déanfar dá réir sin tagairtí san Acht so d'iasachtaí airgid do léiriú mar thagairtí fholuíonn aon tsannaí den tsórt san roimhráite.
(2) D'ainneoin éinní atá san Acht so—
(a) beidh có-aontú ar bith a déanfar le hiasachtaí airgid, no urrús ar bith a thógfaidh iasachtaí airgid, alos airgid do bhéarfaidh ar iasacht tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so, beidh san éifeachtúil i bhfábhar aon tsannaí bona fide no sealbhóra bona fide alos luacha gan fógra do thabhairt i dtaobh aon easnaimh gurb é oibriú an Achta so fé ndeár é agus i bhfábhar aon duine gur fé sin a bheidh teideal aige ; agus
(b) beidh aon íocaíocht no aistriú airgid no maoine dhéanfaidh aon duine bona fide, agus é ag gníomhú mar iontaobhaí no eile, i muinghin éifeachtúlachta có-aontuithe no urrúis ar bith den tsórt san gan fógra do thabhairt i dtaobh aon easnaimh den tsórt san, beidh san chó héifeachtúil, i bhfábhar an duine sin. agus do bheadh sé dá mbeadh an có-aontú no an t-urrús éifeachtúil ; agus
(c) na forálacha den Acht so, bhaineann le teorainn do chur leis an am i gcóir imeachta alos airgid do bhéarfaidh iasachtaithe airgid ar iasacht, ní bheidh feidhm acu maidir le haon imeachta alos aon chó-aontuithe no urrúis den tsórt san a bhunóidh sannaí bona fide no sealbhóir bona fide alos luacha gan fógra go ndearna oibriú an Achta so deifir don chó-aontú no don urrús, no bhunóidh duine ar bith gur fé sin a bheidh teideal aige ;
ach i ngach cás den tsórt san dlighfidh an t-iasachtaí airgid an t-iarrthach, no aon duine eile dá ndéanfar dochar de bhuadh an ailt seo, do shlánú agus ní dhéanfaidh éinní sa phroviso so éifeacht do thabhairt do chó-aontú ná d'urrús i bhfábhar sannaí no sealbhóra alos luacha is iasachtaí airgid ná ní bhainfidh le himeachta bhunóidh sannaí no sealbhóir den tsórt san.
(3) Chun crícheanna an Achta so agus an Moneylenders Act, 1900, beidh feidhm ag forálacha ailt 3 den Conveyancing Act, 1882, fé is dá bhfoluíodh an focal “purchaser” atá san alt san duine a dhéanfaidh aon íocaíocht no aistriú den tsórt san a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo.
(4) Ní thabharfaidh éinní san alt so éifeacht, chun críche ar bith, d'aon chó-aontú, d'aon urrús ná d'aon ghnó eile a bheadh gan bhrí no neamh-infheidhmithe sa mhéid ná baineann forálacha an Achta so leis.
Athghairm.
24.—(1) Deintear leis seo na hachtacháin atá leagtha amach sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so d'athghairm sa mhéid atá luaidhte sa tríú colún den Sceideal san.
(2) D'ainneoin na hathghairme deintear leis an alt so ar an Moneylenders Act, 1911, leanfaidh alt 1 den Acht san de bheith i bhfeidhm maidir le haon chó-aontú do rinneadh le hiasachtaí airgid no le haon urrús do thóg iasachtaí airgid roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so no maidir le haon íocaíocht no aistriú airgid no maoine do rinneadh no déanfar, roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so no dá éis sin, i muinghin éifeachtúlachta aon chó-aontuithe no urrúis den tsórt san.
Gearr-theideal, luadh agus tosach feidhme.
25.—(1) Féadfar Acht na nIasachtaithe Airgid, 1933, do ghairm den Acht so, agus féadfar Achtanna na nIasachtaithe Airgid, 1900 agus 1933, do ghairm den Moneylenders Act, 1900, agus den Acht so le chéile.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht so i bhfeidhm an 1adh lá d'Eanar, 1934.
CEAD SCEIDEAL.
Us d'Aireamh i gCas na Deintear an tUs a Bheidh a Eileamh ar Iasacht do Luadh do Reir Rata.
1. Tuigfear gurb é an méid colna bheidh amuich tráth ar bith ná an t-iarmhéid a bheidh fágtha tar éis suim iomlán na gcoda d'aon íocaíochtaí cuirfear i leith na colna de réir forálacha an Achta so do bhaint as an gcolainn.
2. Déanfar na méideanna uile agus fé seach a tuigfear a bheith amuich den cholainn i rith na dtréimhsí uile agus fé seach dar críoch dátaí íoctha na n-íocaíochtaí d'iolrú i ngach cás fé uimhir na míosa caileandair gur le n-a linn a tuigtear na suimeanna san do bheith gan íoc fé seach, agus gheobhfar amach cadé méid iomlán tortha an iolruithe sin.
3. Déanfar méid iomlán an úis do roinnt ar an dóú cuid déag den mhéid iomlán a luaidhtear i mír 2 den Sceideal so, agus tuigfear gurb é an comhrann, ar n-a iolrú fé chéad, an ráta úis per cent. per annum.
4. Más rud é, ag féachaint do sna heatraimh a bheidh idir íocaíochtaí a híoctar i ndiaidh a chéile, gur mian san do dhéanamh, féadfar an t-ús d'áireamh do réir seachtainí in ionad é d'áireamh do réir míosa, agus i gcás den tsórt san beidh feidhm ag na míreanna san roimhe seo fé is dá ndeintí an focal “seachtainí” do chur i mír 2 in ionad na bhfocal “míosa caileandair” agus na focail “an dóú cuid caogad” do chur i mír 3 in ionad na bhfocal “an dóú cuid déag.”
5. I gcás nách uimhir de sheachtainí slána no de mhíosa slána a bheidh in aon eatramh a bheidh idir íocaíochtaí a híoctar i ndiaidh a chéile, beidh feidhm ag na míreanna san roimhe seo fé is dá mbeadh lá ina sheachtú cuid de sheachtain no ina thriochadú cuid de mhí, de réir mar bheidh.
DARA SCEIDEAL.
Achtachain a h Athghairmtear.
Siosón agus Caibideal | Gearr-Theideal | Méid na hAthghairme |
63 & 64 Vict, c. 51. | An Moneylenders Act, 1900. | Ailt 2 agus 3 ; i mír (e) d'Alt 6 na focail “registration under.” |
1 & 2 Geo V., c. 38. | An Moneylenders Act, 1911. | An tAcht iomlán. |
Number 36 of 1933.
MONEYLENDERS ACT, 1933.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Number 36 of 1933.
MONEYLENDERS ACT, 1933.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the word “moneylender” has the meaning assigned to it by the Moneylenders Act, 1900, as amended by this Act;
the expressions “authorised name” and “authorised address” mean respectively the name under which and the address at which a moneylender is authorised by a certificate granted under this Act to carry on business as a moneylender;
the expression “business name” means the name or style under which any business is carried on, whether in partnership or otherwise;
the word “company” means any body corporate being a moneylender;
the word “firm” means an unincorporate body of two or more individuals, or one or more individuals and one or more corporations, or two or more corporations, who have entered into partnership with one another with a view to carrying on business for profit;
the word “interest” does not include any sum lawfully charged in accordance with the provisions of this Act by a moneylender for or on account of expenses, but save as aforesaid, includes any amount, by whatsoever name called, in excess of principal, paid or payable to a moneylender in consideration of or otherwise in respect of a loan;
the word “principal” means in relation to a loan the amount actually lent to the borrower;
the expression “the Bankruptcy Acts” means the Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857, and the Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872.
National of Saorstát Eireann.
2.—Each of the following persons shall for the purposes of this Act be a national of Saorstát Eireann, that is to say:—
(a) a person born in Saorstát Eireann or in the area now comprised in Saorstát Eireann;
(b) a person born outside Saorstát Eireann or the area now comprised in Saorstát Eireann whose mother at the time of his birth was ordinarily resident in Saorstát Eireann or such area;
(c) a person who at the relevant time is and for not less than five consecutive years immediately preceding that time has been ordinarily resident in Saorstát Eireann.
Irish-owned bodies corporate.
3.—(1) In this Act the expression “Irish-owned body corporate” means a body corporate, constituted within Saorstát Eireann, the issued shares of which are at the relevant time to an extent exceeding one-half (in nominal value) thereof in the beneficial ownership of a person who is or of two or more persons each of whom is at that time either a national of Saorstát Eireann or a body corporate, constituted within Saorstát Eireann, the issued shares of which are at that time to an extent exceeding one-half (in nominal value) thereof in the beneficial ownership of nationals of Saorstát Eireann.
(2) For the purposes of the immediately preceding sub-section, but not further or otherwise, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) where a national of Saorstát Eireann dies and is at the time of his death the beneficial owner of any shares in a body corporate, such shares shall, until the grant of probate of his will or letters of administration of his personal estate, be deemed to continue in the beneficial ownership of a national of Saorstát Eireann, and upon the grant of such probate or letters of administration the personal representative for the time being of such national shall, so long as he is entitled to such shares in his representative capacity, be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares and, if he is not a national of Saorstát Eireann, to be a national of Saorstát Eireann; and
(b) where a national of Saorstát Eireann becomes a bankrupt or carries an arrangement with his creditors and such national was at the time of his bankruptcy or arrangement the beneficial owner of any shares in a body corporate, and his interest in such shares becomes vested in his assignee in bankruptcy or a trustee of the estate of such national as an arranging debtor, such shares shall be deemed, so long as such interest remains so vested, to be in the beneficial ownership of such assignee or trustee, and such assignee or trustee shall, so long as such interest remains so vested, be deemed, if he is not a national of Saorstát Eireann, to be a national of Saorstát Eireann; and
(c) where a person is for the time being entitled to the income arising from any shares in a body corporate held by a trustee, such person shall, so long as he continues to be entitled to such income, be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares; and
(d) where two or more persons are each for the time being entitled to a proportionate part of the income arising from shares in a particular body corporate or from such shares and other property held by a trustee, each of such persons, so long as he continues to be entitled to a proportion of such income, shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of a corresponding proportion of such shares; and
(e) where the issued shares of a body corporate are transferred to a bank, being a body corporate, by way of security for an advance and such bank is registered as the owner of such shares in the register of shareholders of such first-mentioned body corporate, such transfer and registration shall be deemed not to operate to transfer the ownership of such shares to such bank.
Moneylending contracts where interest not expressed in terms of a rate.
4.—Where by a contract for the loan of money by a moneylender the interest charged on the loan is not expressed in terms of a rate, any amount paid or payable to the moneylender under the contract shall be appropriated to principal and interest in the proportion that the principal bears to the total amount of the interest, and the rate per cent, per annum represented by the interest charged as calculated in accordance with the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall be deemed to be the rate of interest charged on the loan.
Licences to be taken out by moneylenders.
5.—(1) Every moneylender, whether carrying on business alone or as a partner in a firm, shall take out annually in respect of every address at which he carries on his business as such a licence (in this Act referred to as a moneylender's licence), which shall expire on the thirty-first day of July in every year.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Revenue Commissioners shall, upon an application being made, in accordance with regulations made by them, for a moneylenders licence and upon payment to them by the applicant of the excise duty for the time being required by law to be paid by persons taking out a moneylender's licence, grant to the applicant a moneylenders licence.
(3) Every moneylenders licence taken out by a person shall be taken out by such person in his true name, and if any moneylenders licence is taken out by any person in any name other than his true name such licence shall be void.
For the purposes of this sub-section the true name of a limited liability company shall be the name under which such company is incorporated.
(4) Every moneylenders licence shall be in such form as the Revenue Commissioners may direct and shall state the authorised name and authorised address of the person by whom it is taken out.
(5) If any person—
(a) takes out a moneylender's licence in any name other than his true name; or
(b) carries on business as a moneylender, without having in force a proper moneylender's licence authorising him so to do, or, being licensed as a moneylender, carries on business as such in any name other than his authorised name, or at any other place than his authorised address or addresses; or
(c) enters into any agreement in the course of his business as a moneylender with respect to the advance or repayment of money, or takes any security for money in the course of his business as a moneylender, otherwise than in his authorised name;
such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to the following penalties, that is to say:—
(a) if such person is an individual—
(i) in the case of a first offence, an excise penalty of one hundred pounds, and
(ii) in the case of a second or any subsequent offence, an excise penalty of one hundred pounds or imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or both such excise penalty and imprisonment;
(b) if such person is a company—
(i) in the case of a first offence, an excise penalty of one hundred pounds, and
(ii) in the case of a second or any subsequent offence, an excise penalty of five hundred pounds.
Certificate required for grant of moneylender's licence.
6.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section a moneylender's licence shall not be granted except to a person who holds a certificate granted in accordance with the provisions of this section authorising the grant of the licence to that person, and a separate certificate shall be required in respect of every separate licence. Any moneylender's licence granted in contravention of this section shall be void.
(2) Certificates under this section (in this Act referred to as “certificates”) shall be granted by the Justice of the District Court having jurisdiction in the District Court area in which the moneylender's business is to be carried on.
(3) A certificate under this section shall not be granted to any applicant unless such applicant produces satisfactory evidence that such applicant, if an individual, is at the date of the application a national of Saorstát Eireann or, if a company, is at the said date an Irish-owned body corporate.
(4) Every certificate granted to a moneylender shall show his true name and the name under which, and the address at which, he is authorised by the certificate to carry on business as such, and a certificate shall not authorise a moneylender to carry on business at more than one address, or under more than one name, or under any name which includes the word “bank” or otherwise implies that he carries on banking business, and no certificate shall authorise a moneylender to carry on business under any name except—
(a) his true name; or
(b) the name of a firm in which he is a partner, not being a firm required by the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, to be registered; or
(c) a business name, whether of an individual or of a firm in which he is a partner, under which he or the firm has, at the passing of this Act, been registered for not less than three years both as a moneylender under the Moneylenders Act, 1900, and under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916.
(5) A certificate shall come into force on the date specified therein, and shall expire on the next following thirty-first day of July.
(6) The Minister for Justice shall make rules with respect to the procedure to be followed in making applications for certificates (including the notices to be given of intention to make such an application), and certificates shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the rules so made.
(7) Every rule made by the Minister for Justice under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and if a resolution is passed by either House of the Oireachtas within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which such House has sat after the rule is laid before it annulling such rule, such rule shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under such rule.
(8) A certificate shall not be refused except on some one or more of the following grounds:—
(a) that the grant of the certificate to the applicant is prohibited by sub-section (3) of this section;
(b) that satisfactory evidence has not been produced of the good character of the applicant, and in the case of a company of the persons responsible for the management thereof;
(c) that satisfactory evidence has been produced that the applicant, or any person responsible or proposed to be responsible for the management of his business as a moneylender, is not a fit and proper person to hold a certificate;
(d) that the applicant or any person responsible or proposed to be responsible for the management of his business as a moneylender is by order of a court disqualified for holding a certificate;
(e) that the applicant has not complied with the provisions of any rules made under this section with respect to applications for certificates;
(f) that the applicant has failed to satisfy the court that he is a person of financial stability;
(g) that the applicant is the holder of a bookmaker's licence;
(h) that the applicant is the holder of a licence for the sale of intoxicating liquor.
(9) A superintendent of the Gárda Síochána of, or any resident in, the District Court area in which an application for a certificate is made shall have the right to appear in court and oppose the granting of a certificate on any one or more of the grounds mentioned in the last preceding sub-section, and to be heard and to call witnesses in support of his objection.
(10) Any person aggrieved by the refusal of a Justice of the District Court to grant a certificate may appeal to the Judge of the Circuit Court within whose Circuit the moneylender's business is to be carried on, and the decision of such Judge shall be final and not appealable.
(11) Whenever an application for a certificate is refused and an appeal from such refusal is lodged, then if the applicant was at the time of making the application the holder of a moneylender's licence, the Revenue Commissioners may, without payment of any duty but subject to such conditions as they may think fit to impose, issue to such applicant a temporary licence for such period not extending beyond the expiration of seven days after the decision of such appeal as they may think fit, and every such temporary licence shall while it remains in force be a moneylender's licence within the meaning of this Act.
Suspension and forfeiture of moneylenders' certificates.
7.—(1) Where any person being the holder of a certificate, is convicted of any offence under this Act or under section 2 or 4 of the Betting and Loans (Infants) Act, 1892, or section 4 of the Moneylenders Act, 1900, the court—
(a) may order that any certificate held by that person, and in the case of a partner in a firm by any other partner in the firm, shall either be suspended for such time as the court thinks fit, or shall be forfeited, and may also, if the court thinks fit, declare any such person, or any person responsible for the management of the money-lending business carried on by the person convicted, to be disqualified for holding a certificate for such time as the court thinks fit; and
(b) shall cause particulars of the conviction and of any order made by the court under this sub-section to be endorsed on every certificate held by the person convicted or by any other person affected by the order, and shall cause copies of those particulars to be sent to the authority by whom any certificate so endorsed was granted and to the Revenue Commissioners.
(2) Where by order of a court a certificate held by any person is suspended or forfeited, or any person is disqualified for holding a certificate, he may, whether or not he is the person convicted, appeal against the order in the same manner as any person convicted may appeal against his conviction, and the court may, if it thinks fit, pending the appeal, defer the operation of the order.
(3) Any certificate required by a court for endorsement in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section shall be produced, in such manner and within such time as may be directed by the court, by the person by whom it is held, and any person who without reasonable cause, makes default in so producing any certificate so required shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds for each day during which the default continues.
(4) Where a certificate held by any person is ordered to be suspended or to be forfeited under the foregoing provisions of this section, any moneylenders licences granted to that person, whether in pursuance of that or any other certificate, shall be suspended during the period for which the certificate is ordered to be suspended or become void, as the case may be.
Prohibition of issue of documents implying a moneylender is a banker.
8.—If a moneylender, for the purposes of his business as such, issues or publishes, or causes to be issued or published, any advertisement, circular or document of any kind whatsoever containing expressions which might reasonably be held to imply that he carried on banking business he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to the following penalties, that is to say:—
(a) if such person is an individual—
(i) in the case of a first offence, a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, and
(ii) in the case of a second or any subsequent offence, a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or both such fine and imprisonment;
(b) if such person is a company—
(i) in the case of a first offence, a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, and
(ii) in the case of a second or any subsequent offence, a fine not exceeding five hundred pounds.
Names to be stated on documents issued by moneylenders.
9.—(1) Sub-section (2) of section 2 of the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917 (which requires certain particulars to be published in trade catalogues, trade circulars, show cards and business letters) shall apply with the necessary modifications to every company licensed under this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of the last foregoing sub-section and of section 18 of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, a moneylender shall not, for the purposes of his business as such, issue or publish, or cause to be issued or published, any advertisement, circular, business letter, or other similar document which does not show—
(a) in such manner as to be not less conspicuous than any other name, the authorised name of the moneylender; and
(b) except in the case of an advertisement published in a newspaper, any name, other than his authorised name, under which the moneylender, and in the case of a firm any partner therein, was before the commencement of this Act registered as a moneylender under the Moneylenders Act, 1900;
and any moneylender who acts in contravention of this sub-section shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
Restriction on moneylending advertisements, and prohibition of use of canvassers.
10.—(1) Subject to the provisions of the next following sub-section, no person shall knowingly send or deliver or cause to be sent or delivered to any person in Saorstát Eireann except in response to his written request any circular or other document advertising particulars of the name, address or telephone number of a moneylender, or containing an invitation—
(a) to borrow money from a moneylender;
(b) to enter into any transaction involving the borrowing of money from a moneylender;
(c) to apply to any place with a view to obtaining information or advice as to borrowing any money from a moneylender.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in the last foregoing sub-section a business card in conformity with the requirements of the last foregoing section may be sent out by post if it contains no addition to the particulars necessary to comply with the said requirements, except any of the following particulars, that is to say, any authorised address at which he carries on business as a moneylender and the telegraphic address and telephone number thereof any address at which he formerly carried on business, a statement that he lends money with or without security, and of the highest and lowest sums that he is prepared to lend, and a statement of the date on which the business carried on by him was first established.
(3) Subject to the provisions of the next following sub-section, no person shall publish or cause to be published in any newspaper or other printed paper issued periodically for public circulation, or by means of any poster or placard, an advertisement advertising any such particulars, or containing any such invitation, as are or is mentioned in sub-section (1) of this section.
(4) Notwithstanding anything in the last foregoing sub-section an advertisement in conformity with the requirements of the last foregoing section may be published by or on behalf of a moneylender in any newspaper or in any such paper as aforesaid or by means of a poster or placard exhibited at any authorised address of the moneylender, if it contains no addition to the particulars necessary to comply with the said requirements, except any of the following particulars, that is to say, any authorised address at which he carries on business as a moneylender and the telegraphic address and telephone number thereof, any address at which he formerly carried on business, a statement that he lends money with or without security, and of the highest and lowest sums that he is prepared to lend, and a statement of the date on which the business carried on by him was first established.
(5) No moneylender or any person on his behalf shall employ any agent or canvasser for the purpose of inviting any person to borrow money or to enter into any transaction involving the borrowing of money from a moneylender, and no person shall act as such agent or canvasser, or demand or receive directly or indirectly any sum or other valuable consideration by way of commission or otherwise for introducing or undertaking to introduce to a moneylender any person desiring to borrow money.
(6) Where any document issued or published by or on behalf of a moneylender purports to indicate the terms of interest upon which he is willing to make loans or any particular loan, the document shall either express the interest proposed to be charged in terms of a rate per cent, per annum or show the rate per cent. per annum represented by the interest proposed to be charged as calculated in accordance with the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act.
(7) Any person acting in contravention of any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment, and, in the case of a company, to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
(8) Where it is shown that a moneylending transaction was brought about by a contravention of any of the provisions of this section, the transaction shall, notwithstanding that the moneylender was duly licensed under this Act, be illegal, unless the moneylender proves that the contravention occurred without his consent or connivance.
Form of moneylenders' contracts.
11.—(1) No contract for the repayment by a borrower of money lent to him or to any agent on his behalf by a moneylender after the commencement of this Act or for the payment by him of interest on money so lent and no security given by the borrower or by any such agent as aforesaid in respect of any such contract shall be enforceable, unless, before the money was lent or before the security was given, as the case may be, a note or memorandum in writing of the contract be made and signed personally by the borrower, or, where the borrower is a married woman not living apart from her husband, by the borrower and her husband, and unless a copy thereof be delivered or sent to the borrower within seven days of the making of the contract.
(2) The note or memorandum aforesaid shall contain all the terms of the contract, and in particular shall show the date on which the loan is made, the amount of the principal of the loan, and, either the interest charged on the loan expressed in terms of a rate per cent. per annum, or the rate per cent, per annum represented by the interest charged as calculated in accordance with the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act.
Prohibition of compound interest.
12.—Any contract made after the commencement of this Act for the loan of money by a moneylender shall be illegal in so far as it provides directly or indirectly for the payment of compound interest or for the rate or amount of interest being increased by reason of any default in the payment of sums due under the contract.
Obligation of moneylender to supply information as to state of loan and copies of documents relating thereto.
13.—(1) In respect of every contract for the repayment of money lent by a moneylender, whether made before or after the commencement of this Act, the moneylender shall, on any reasonable demand in writing being made by the borrower at any time during the continuance of the contract and on tender by the borrower of the sum of one shilling for expenses, supply to the borrower, or, if the borrower so requires, to any person specified in that behalf in the demand, a statement signed by the moneylender or his agent showing—
(a) the date on which the loan was made, the amount of the principal of the loan and the rate per cent, per annum of interest charged; and
(b) the amount of any payment already received by the moneylender in respect of the loan and the date on which it was made; and
(c) the amount of every sum due to the moneylender, but unpaid, and the date upon which it became due, and the amount of interest accrued due and unpaid in respect of every such sum; and
(d) the amount of every sum not yet due which remains outstanding, and the date upon which it will become due.
(2) A moneylender shall, on any reasonable demand in writing by the borrower, and on tender of a reasonable sum for expenses, supply a copy of any document relating to a loan made by him or any security therefor, to the borrower, or, if the borrower so requires, to any person specified in that behalf in the demand.
(3) If a moneylender to whom a demand has been made under this section fails without reasonable excuse to comply therewith within one month after the demand has been made, he shall not, so long as the default continues, be entitled to sue for or recover any sum due under the contract on account either of principal or interest, and interest shall not be chargeable in respect of the period of the default, and if such default is made or continued after proceedings have ceased to lie in respect of the loan, the moneylender shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds for each day during which the default continues.
Written communications by moneylenders to borrowers.
14.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any moneylender or the agent of a moneylender to send any written communication, relating to a moneylending transaction, to the borrower or intending borrower, unless such communication is sent in a sealed envelope having written thereon the word ‘personal’ and no other words save and except the name or the name and address of the borrower or intending borrower.
(2) If any person acts in contravention of this section such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
Visits by moneylenders.
15.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any moneylender or the agent of a moneylender to visit, for purposes connected with a moneylending transaction, the borrower or intending borrower at any place where the borrower or intending borrower is employed or carries on business, unless the borrower or intending borrower resides at such place.
(2) If any moneylender or agent of a moneylender acts in contravention of this section such moneylender or agent shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
Provisions as to bankruptcy proceedings for moneylenders loans.
16.—(1) Where a debt due to a moneylender in respect of a loan made by him after the commencement of this Act includes interest, that interest shall, for the purposes of the provisions of the Bankruptcy Acts relating to the presentation of a bankruptcy petition, voting at meetings, compositions and schemes of arrangement, and dividend, be calculated at a rate not exceeding five per cent, per annum, but nothing in the foregoing provision shall prejudice the right of the creditor to receive out of the estate, after all the debts proved in the estate have been paid in full, any higher rate of interest to which he may be entitled.
(2) No proof or admission of a debt due to a moneylender in respect of a loan made by him shall be admitted for any of the purposes of the Bankruptcy Acts unless there is lodged in Court by the moneylender a statement showing in detail—
(a) the amount of the sums actually lent to the debtor and the dates on which they were lent, and the amount of every payment already received by the moneylender in respect of the loan and the date on which every such payment was made; and
(b) the amount of the balance which remains unpaid distinguishing the amount of the principal from the amount of interest included therein, the appropriation between principal and interest being made in accordance with the provisions of this Act where the interest is not expressed by the contract for the loan in terms of a rate; and
(c) where the amount of interest included in the unpaid balance represents a rate per cent. per annum exceeding five per cent, the amount of interest which would be so included if it were calculated at the rate of five per cent, per annum.
(3) Rules of court may provide for carrying into effect the objects of this section.
Amendments of the Moneylenders Act, 1900.
17.—(1) Where, in any proceedings heard after the commencement of this Act in respect of any money lent by a moneylender after the date of the passing of this Act or in respect of any agreement or security made or taken after the date of the passing of this Act in respect of money lent either before or after the date of the passing of this Act, it is found that the interest charged exceeds the rate of thirty-nine per cent. per annum, or the corresponding rate in respect of any other period, the Court shall conclusively assume for the purposes of section 1 of the Moneylenders Act, 1900, that the interest charged is excessive and that the transaction is harsh and unconscionable, but this provision shall be without prejudice to the powers of the Court under that section where the Court is satisfied that the interest charged, although not exceeding thirty-nine per cent, per annum is excessive.
(2) Where a Court reopens a transaction of a moneylender under the said section 1 of the Moneylenders Act, 1900, as amended by this Act, the Court may require the moneylender to produce any certificate granted to him in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and may cause such particulars as the Court thinks desirable to be endorsed on any such certificate, and a copy of the particulars to be sent to the authority by whom the certificate was granted.
Prohibition of charge for expenses on loans by moneylenders.
18.—Any agreement between a moneylender and a borrower or intending borrower for the payment by the borrower or intending borrower to the moneylender of any sum on account of costs, charges or expenses incidental to or relating to the negotiations for or the granting of the loan or proposed loan shall be illegal, and if any sum is paid to a moneylender by a borrower or intending borrower as for or on account of any such costs, charges or expenses, that sum shall be recoverable as a debt due to the borrower or intending borrower, or in the event of the loan being completed, shall, if not so recovered, be set off against the amount actually lent and that amount shall be deemed to be reduced accordingly.
Limitation of time for proceedings in respect of money lent by moneylenders.
19.—(1) No proceedings shall lie for the recovery by a moneylender of any money lent by him after the commencement of this Act or of any interest in respect thereof, or for the enforcement of any agreement made or security taken after the commencement of this Act in respect of any loan made by him, unless the proceedings are commenced before the expiration of three years from the date on which the cause of action accrued:
Provided that—
(a) if during the period of three years aforesaid or at any time within any subsequent period during which proceedings may by virtue of this proviso be brought, the debtor acknowledges in writing the amount due and gives a written undertaking to the moneylender to pay that amount, proceedings for the recovery of the amount due may be brought at any time within a period of three years from the date of the acknowledgment and undertaking;
(b) the time limited by the foregoing provisions of this section for the commencement of proceedings shall not begin to run in respect of any payments from time to time becoming due to a moneylender under a contract for the loan of money until a cause of action accrues in respect of the last payment becoming due under the contract;
(c) if at the date on which the cause of action accrues or on which any such acknowledgment and undertaking as aforesaid is given by the debtor, the person entitled to take the proceedings is non compos mentis, the time limited by the foregoing provisions of this section for the commencement of proceedings shall not begin to run until that person ceases to be non compos mentis or dies, whichever first occurs; and
(d) if at the date on which the cause of action accrues or on which any such acknowledgment and undertaking as aforesaid is given by the debtor, the debtor is beyond the seas, the time limited by the foregoing provisions of this section for the commencement of proceedings shall not begin to run until he returns from beyond the seas, so however, that section 11 of the Mercantile Law Amendment Act, 1856, (which relates to the limitation of actions against joint debtors where some are beyond seas) shall have effect as if this section were included among the enactments therein referred to as fixing a period of limitation.
Determination of moneylending contract by the Court.
20.—Without prejudice to the powers of a Court under section 1 of the Moneylenders Act, 1900, as amended by this Act, if at the time when proceedings are taken by a moneylender in respect of a default in the payment of any sum due to him under a contract for the loan of money, any further amount is outstanding under the contract but not yet due, the court may determine the contract and order the principal outstanding to be paid to the moneylender with such interest thereon, if any, as the court may allow up to the date of payment.
Prohibition of moneylending business on Sundays and certain holidays.
21.—No person shall carry on business as a moneylender whether personally or by his agent on Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or Saint Patrick's Day, and any moneylender who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
Notice and information to be given on assignment of moneylenders' debts.
22.—(1) Where any debt in respect of money lent by a moneylender whether before or after the commencement of this Act or in respect of interest on any such debt or the benefit of any agreement made or security taken in respect of any such debt or interest is assigned to any assignee, the assignor (whether he is the moneylender by whom the money was lent or any person to whom the debt has been previously assigned) shall, before the assignment is made—
(a) give to the assignee notice in writing that the debt, agreement or security is affected by the operation of this Act; and
(b) supply to the assignee all information necessary to enable him to comply with the provisions of this Act relating to the obligation to supply information as to the state of loans and copies of documents relating thereto;
and any person acting in contravention of any of the provisions of this section shall be liable to indemnify any other person who is prejudiced by the contravention, and shall also be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months and, in the case of a company, to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
(2) In this section the expression “assigned” means assigned by any assignment inter vivos other than an assignment by operation of law, and the expressions “assignor” and “assignee” have corresponding meanings.
Application of Act as respects assignees.
23.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the provisions of this Act shall continue to apply as respects any debt to a moneylender in respect of money lent by him after the commencement of this Act or in respect of interest on money so lent or of the benefit of any agreement made or security taken in respect of any such debt or interest, notwithstanding that the debt or the benefit of the agreement or security may have been assigned to any assignee, and, except where the context otherwise requires, references in this Act to a moneylender shall accordingly be construed as including any such assignee as aforesaid.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in this Act·—
(a) any agreement with, or security taken by, a moneylender in respect of money lent by him after the commencement of this Act shall be valid in favour of any bona fide assignee or holder for value without notice of any defect due to the operation of this Act and of any person deriving title under him; and
(b) any payment or transfer of money or property made bona fide by any person, whether acting in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise on the faith of the validity of any such, agreement or security without notice of any such defect shall, in favour of that person, be as valid as it would have been if the agreement or security had been valid; and
(c) the provisions of this Act relating to limitation of time for proceedings in respect of money lent by moneylenders, shall not apply to any proceedings in respect of any such agreement or security commenced by a bona fide assignee or holder for value without notice that the agreement or security was affected by the operation of this Act, or by any person deriving title under him;
but in every such case the moneylender shall be liable to indemnify the borrower, or any other person who is prejudiced by virtue of this section, and nothing in this proviso shall render valid an agreement or security in favour of, or apply to proceedings commenced by, an assignee or holder for value who is himself a moneylender.
(3) For the purposes of this Act and of the Moneylenders Act, 1900, the provisions of section 3 of the Conveyancing Act, 1882, shall apply as if the expression “purchaser” in the said section included a person making any such payment or transfer as is mentioned in the last foregoing sub-section.
(4) Nothing in this section shall render valid for any purpose any agreement, security, or other transaction which would, apart from the provisions of this Act, have been void or unenforceable.
Repeals.
24.—(1) The enactments set out in the Second Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Moneylenders Act, 1911, effected by this section, section 1 of that Act shall continue in force as respects any agreement with or security taken by a moneylender before the commencement of this Act, or any payment or transfer of money or property made, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, on the faith of the validity of any such agreement or security.
Short title, citation and commencement.
25.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Moneylenders Act, 1933, and the Moneylenders Act, 1900, and this Act be cited together as the Moneylenders Acts, 1900 and 1933.
(2) This Act shall come into force on the 1st day of January, 1934.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Calculation of Interest Where the Interest Charged on a Loan is Not Expressed in Terms of a Rate.
1. The amount of principal outstanding at any time shall be taken to be the balance remaining after deducting from the principal the total of the portions of any payments appropriated to principal in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
2. The several amounts taken to be outstanding by way of principal during the several periods ending on the dates on which payments are made shall be multiplied in each case by the number of calendar months during which those amounts are taken, to be respectively outstanding, and there shall be ascertained the aggregate amount of the sum so produced.
3. The total amount of the interest shall be divided by one-twelfth part of the aggregate amount mentioned in paragraph 2 of this Schedule, and the quotient, multiplied by one hundred, shall be taken to be the rate of interest per cent. per annum.
4. If having regard to the intervals between successive payments it is desired so to do, the calculation of interest may be made by reference to weeks instead of months, and in such a case the foregoing paragraphs shall have effect as though in paragraph 2 the word “weeks” were substituted for the words “calendar months,” and in paragraph 3 the words “one-fifty second” were substituted for the words “one-twelfth.”
5. Where any interval between successive payments is not a number of complete weeks or complete months, the foregoing paragraphs shall have effect as though one day were one-seventh part of a week or one-thirtieth part of a month, as the case may be.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
Session and Chapter | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
63 & 64 Vict. c. 51. | The Moneylenders Act, 1900. | Sections 2 and 3; paragraph (e) of Section 6 the words “registration under.” |
1 & 2 Geo. V. c. 38. | The Moneylenders Act, 1911. | The whole Act. |