Section 31 of The Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017
No act of the Institute or Governing Council or Senate or any other body set-up under this Act or the Statutes, shall be invalid merely by reason of—
- (a)any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution thereof; or
- (b)any defect in the election, nomination or appointment of a person acting as a member thereof; or
- (c)any irregularity in its procedure not affecting the merits of the case.
Summary
- Decisions made by the Institute remain valid even if there is an empty seat in one of its committees.
- Any mistake or defect in how a member was elected or appointed does not cancel the actions of the group.
- Procedural errors do not make an act invalid as long as they do not change the core facts or fairness of the case.
- This protection applies to the Governing Council, the Senate, and any other body established under this law.
- It ensures that the daily operations of the footwear school are not paralyzed by minor technical or clerical errors in administration.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. If a member of the Governing Council was appointed incorrectly, are their votes still valid under the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017?
Yes, Section 31 of the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017, states that acts are not invalid just because there was a defect in the appointment of a person acting as a member.
2. Does a vacancy in the Senate stop the Institute from making legal decisions?
No, Section 31 of the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017, ensures that no act is invalidated merely because of a vacancy in any of the Institute's bodies.
3. What happens if there is a small mistake in the meeting procedure at the Institute?
Under Section 31 of the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017, a procedural irregularity does not make an act invalid unless it actually affects the merits of the case.
4. Who does Section 31 of the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017, protect?
It protects the acts and proceedings of the Institute, the Governing Council, the Senate, and any other official body set up under the Act or its Statutes.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 31 of the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017, what is the effect of an empty seat in the Governing Council on a decision they made?
Q2.If a member was nominated to the Senate of the Footwear Design and Development Institute but their nomination had a legal defect, what does Section 31 of the Act say about their past actions?
Q3.According to Section 31 of the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017, when does a procedural mistake make an act invalid?
Q4.Which of the following bodies is covered by the protections in Section 31 of the Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017?