Practitioners advising members or applicants for membership of incorporated associations should note that a contractual clause binding parties to rules 'for the time being in force' will be construed to apply the rules current at the time a dispute arises, not those in force when the application was lodged — meaning amended rules (including new disqualification criteria) will govern even pending applications; additionally, failure to exercise appeal rights within prescribed time limits will not be excused by an association's erroneous advice where the applicant had means to independently ascertain their true rights.
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