This page contain information copyrighted by other individuals and entities. Copyrighted material displayed in this page is done so for archival purposes only and is not intended to infringe upon the ownership rights of the original owners.
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ISC) - Hong Kong Branch (ID: 16002)
Page 1 of 1 [Back to companies list]
RULES AND REGULATIONS AND BYE LAWS OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH 1. The Branch shall be known as the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Hong Kong Branch (hereinafter referred to as "The Branch"). 2. The Bye-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (hereinafter called "The Institute") as applicable and in force from time to time, except as hereinafter provided, shall apply to the Branch. 3. Objectives The objects and purposes for which the Branch in hereby constituted in addition to the objects and purposes set out in Articles 4 of the Royal Charter of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers are as follows : (i) To bring about an association of Fellows, and Members of the Institute in Hong Kong. (ii) To bring about a better understanding of the functions of the Institute. (iii) To exchange views and information on shipping matters. (iv) To establish and maintain a library for the use of members and students. (v) To establish sets of lectures and supply them to approved students. (vi) To interview and report upon candidates seeking admission to membership of the institute. (vii) To encourage and assist students to enter for the examinations of the institute. (viii) To assist the Institute, when so required, with the conduct of its examinations. 4. Membership The membership of the Branch ( "members") and who are entitled to vote shall consist only of such persons as are members of the Institute, namely Fellows, Members and Honorary Members who are registered with the Branch and who carry on or are engaged in the business of shipbroking in Hong Kong and Fellow and Members of the Institute who are Life or Retired Members and who are resident in any district deemed by the institute to come within the jurisdiction of the Branch. 5. Business of the Branch The business of the Branch shall be conducted by a Committee ("the Committee") consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon. Secretary (hereinafter referred to as "The Secretary"), Hon. Treasurer (hereinafter referred to as "The Treasurer") and not less than four other members, six of who personally present shall form a quorum. Membership of the Committee shall be restricted to Fellows and Members, and who are not under liability to the Branch. 6. Powers of the Committee The Committee shall have powers to fill a casual vacancy including the Office of Chairman (see clause 12) on the Committee and to appoint sub-Committee of such of its members and for such purposes and for such periods of time as the Committee may think fit and to co-opt not more than 4 members of the Branch to serve upon any sub-committee. The Chairman shall be an ex-officio member of all sub-committees. 7. Branch Year The year of the Branch shall commence annually on the first day of June and continue till the 31st May. 8. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of the Branch shall be held in Hong Kong within 60 days after the end of the Branch year and after 21 days notice thereof has been given in writing to each member's last known address for the purpose of : (i) Receiving the Chairman's Report, Financial Statement and Auditor's Report and reports of Sub-Committee if any. (ii) Electing a Chairman if necessary under Clause 12(i) and the Committee for the ensuing year. (iii) Appointing an Auditor. (iv) Discussing any proposed resolution submitted in writing by at least two members not later than 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. (v) Dealing with any other business placed on the agenda. 9. Elections Save as provided in Clause 12 of the Incumbent Committee Members may offer themselves for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting. Any member of the Branch may be nominated for service on the Committee buy any nomination of any member who is not a Committee member will require a proposer, a seconder and a letter of acceptance from the nominee. Any member offering himself for re-election must notify in writing to, and any new nomination must be received by the Secretary on or before the first business day in May of each calendar year. Each candidate shall be elected separately by a show of hands. Any casual vacancy which may be filled during the Branch year shall only be valid up to including the next Annual General Meeting. 10. Voting Every resolution submitted to a meeting shall be decided upon a show of hands, unless before or upon the declaration of the result of the show of hands a ballot is demanded by the Chairman or by at least five Members present. Unless a ballot is so demanded a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, and an entry to that effect in the book containing the Minutes of the proceedings of the Branch shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof. No member who is under liability to the Branch shall be allowed to be present or to vote. 11. Ballot If a ballot is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner and in such place as the Chairman may direct by secret ballot and the result of such ballot shall be deemed the resolution of the meeting at which the ballot is demanded. The Chairman shall appoint from member of the Branch four scrutineers of whom not more than two shall be Members of the Committee and of which three scrutineers shall form a quorum. 12. Officers and Committee The Committee shall from its own number elect the following officers namely a Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The Chairman shall be elected at the AGM by those members present. An Officer may be a Fellow or a Member. The immediate past Chairman of the Branch shall be ex-officio, Member of the Committee for the next branch year on completion of his tenure, provided he remains a member of the institute and of the Branch and is resident in Hong Kong. Subject to the above ; (i) The Chairman shall serve for a period of two years and may not be re-elected without a break. (ii) The Secretary and the Treasurer shall serve for a period of three years. 13. Discipline The Committee shall have the power to investigate any complaint received in writing regarding the alleged professional misconduct of any member and, after interviewing the member concerned, shall duly report its findings to the Institute in London and act as the Institute may direct. Alternatively, the Committe may take cognizance of any matter which may be brought before them as affecting the Branch and/or the Institute or the conduct of any one of the members as affecting his professional status or the reputation of the Branch and in any such matter shall report its findings thereon to the Institute and act as the Institute may direct. 14. Committee Meetings Committee Meetings shall be called from time to time as directed by the Chairman and at least one such meeting (not including the Annual General Meeting) shall be held each branch year. 15. Special General Meeting Any Special General Meeting shall require not less than 21 days notice being given to members of the Branch. A Special General Meeting of the members of the Branch may be called at any time by the Committee, and shall be called by the Committee upon a requisition in writing of at least 20% of the members of the Branch if accompanied by a deposit of a sum not less than HK$500 or such sum as may have been previously determined by the Committee to cover expenses incidental to the summoning and holding of the meeting. In the event of the proposal being carried the deposit shall be refunded to the persons by who it was made; otherwise same shall be left to the discretion of the Chairman. 16. Annual or Special General Meetings At every Annual or Special General Meeting Members personally present shall form a quorum. If at any such meeting a quorum be not present within half an hour of the time appointed for holding the meeting it shall stand adjourned to the same time and place; and at such adjourned meeting the Members present shall from a quorum. In the case of a Special General Meeting convened upon the requisition of Members, if a quorum be not present within half an hour of the time appointed for holding such meeting it shall be dissolved and the deposit forfeit. 17. Casting Vote The Chairman at any meeting except at Sub-Committee meetings shall have a casting vote, in addition to the vote to which he may be entitled as a member. 18. Proof of Posting Any notice sent by post shall be deemed to have been served on the business day following that on which the envelope containing the same is posted, and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope containing the notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post office, and a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary that the envelope containing the notice was so addressed and posted shall be conclusive evidence thereof. 19. Fees and Subscriptions Fees and Subscriptions shall be determined from time to time by the Committee and shall be paid by members direct to the Secretary. 20. Termination of the Branch If the membership falls subsequently to the extent that, in the opinion of the Committee, there are insufficient members to continue the Branch, it shall be so reported to the institute in London and, if directed by them, the Branch shall be wound up and all surplus funds shall be remitted to the Institute in London, accompanied by properly audited accounts. 21. Signature of Cheques Every sum of money payable on account of the Branch exceeding HK$500 shall be paid only by cheque in the first instance by the Chairman or in his absence by the Vice Chairman or in the absence of both by a member of the Committee appointed by the Committee and shall in each case be countersigned by the Treasurer. 22. Indemnity The members of the Committee, Auditors, Secretary, Treasurer and other Officers shall be indemnified by the Branch from all losses and expenses incurred by them in or about the discharge of their respective duties except such as happens from their own respective wilful default. No member of the Committee, Auditors, Secretary, Treasurer or other Officers or for joining in any receipt of document or for any act of conformity or for any loss of expense happening to the Committee unless the same happen from his own willful default. 23. Amendment to Rules These Rules shall not be amended except by a majority of two-thirds of those present at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose. Motions for the amending of Rules must be received by the Secretary 28 clear days before the meeting and must be signed by the proposer and seconder unless recommended by the Committee, such motion to be Incorporated in the Notice convening the meeting. Any alterations must be in conformity with the Bye-Laws of the Institute and subject to the approval of the Council of the Institute. FOUNDATION DIPLOMA STRUCTURE Principally intended for those new to the industry. Candidates take two papers at the same diet of examinations. No Exemptions allowed. GROUP 1 Introduction to Shipping GROUP 2 1 option QUALIFYING EXAMINATION STRUCTURE Please note that all Qualifying Examination candidates must take Shipping Business in their first year. GROUP 1 (All subjects required) Introduction to Shipping Legal Principles in Shipping Business Economics of Sea Transport and International Trade Compulsory in first year Shipping Business Candidates may select the following options in respect of Groups 2 and 3: - Option A: Two subjects from Group 2 and one from Group 3 Option B: Three subjects from Group 2 and none from Group 3 Option C: One subject from Group 2 and two from Group 3. If this option is chosen only one Group 3 is exemptible the other MUST be taken with this Institute. GROUP 2 Dry Cargo Chartering Ship Operations and Management Ship Sale and Purchase Tanker Chartering Liner Trades Port Agency GROUP 3 Shipping Law Marine Insurance Financial and Management Accounting Multi-modal Transport and Logistics N.B. Shipping Business must be taken in the first year. The remaining subjects may be taken in any order but candidates must sit a minimum of three subjects at their first attempt. ( sitting meaning making a genuine effort to answer five questions in each paper). The Qualifying Examinations must be completed within five years. EXEMPTIONS Candidates with relevant professional or educational qualifications validated by this Institute will be able to apply for exemptions, on a subject for subject basis, from all subjects except Shipping Business in Group 1 and the specialist subjects comprising Group 2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Candidates wishing to take either the Institute s Qualifying or Foundation Diploma examinations must first register with the Institute as a student. The examinations are held in April each year at centres worldwide. QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS Every applicant for registration as a student and subsequent entry to the Qualifying Examinations will be required to comply with one of the following conditions: - a) have gained passes in 2 subjects at GCE A level or the equivalent outside the U.K. education system or b) have completed one year s employment in an organisation which has a bona fide connection with shipping business including serving at sea or c) have obtained the Institute s Foundation Diploma In Shipping. FOUNDATION EXAMINATIONS Every applicant for registration as a Foundation Diploma student and subsequent entry to the Foundation Diploma examinations must be over 16 years of age. REGISTRATION Applicants must complete and return their registration form and appropriate fee to the Institute no later than the following dates of each examination year: - 31st December for candidates in the United Kingdom 30th November for candidates at centres overseas and in the Republic of Ireland Registrations received after these dates will NOT be accepted. Registration as a student does NOT confer Membership of the Institute and students may NOT use any initials after their names denoting that they are Registered Students of the Institute. FEES Fees are payable for Registration and for Examination Entry. All fees must be paid in Sterling except where arrangements have been made to pay these in local currency to your Institute Branch. ENTRY PRODECURE Candidates must complete and return the examination entry form, together with the appropriate fee, to the Institute not later than the following dates of each examination year: 21st February for candidates in the United Kingdom 21st January for candidates at centres overseas including Eire Candidates are advised in their own interest to submit their entry form well in advance of the closing date and to ensure that it is acknowledged. No allowance can be made for any special circumstances or for any error or omission by the candidate, by a principal, by a parent or friend or by the postal authorities. Late entries will NOT be accepted. Hong Kong Branch completed the year 2002-03 with a few important and desirable mile stones. With a new team in place and full support from the executive committee members, regular branch meetings and deliberations injected a new life in the working of the Branch. A brief round up of the events and activities during the year are summarized hereunder: Transport Functional Constituency for Legislative Council Election. Efforts to include the Branch in the list of Transport Functional Constituency bore fruit and now the branch has acquired a right to vote for a legislative councilor to represent the Transport Functional Constituency in the As theforthcoming Legislative Council Election, to be will beheld in 2004. Amended Rules and Regulations and Bye-laws ( Bye-laws ) of the Branch The Executive Committee debated and concluded considersthat it wasis about time to review and recommend amendments to the updateBye-e-laws in order to cope with the business environment and the operation of the Branch. The Bye-laws were revised and adopted during the AGM of the Branch. It is a pleasure to report that the proactive and pragmatic approach by the Executive Committee led to completion of this tedious task. Branch Activities (a) A Christmas Cocktail Party cum Certificate Awarding Ceremony was held on 12th December 2002 at Merchant Service Club. Mr. Vikas Kumar of Chellaram Shipping was adjudged the Overall Best Performer in the Hong Kong Branch, followed by Capt. Alok Dwivedi of KC Maritime. (b) A visit to Hong Kong International Terminal ( HIT ) was arranged on 1st March 2003 and other institutions were invited to join. (c) An evening talk on Prospects for Shipping and the Role of the Shipbroker in Hong Kong was presented by Mr. Tim Huxley, Managing Director of Clarkson Asia, Hong Kong on 14th March 2003 at the Foreign Correspondents Club. In the wake of the unfortunate SARS incident, the branch could not arrange more activities. Cooperation with other Institutions and Associations (a) Nautical Institute (Hong Kong Branch) Jointly held events were a success and the ICS members are always invited to participate in NI organized seminars. (b) Institute of Seatransport - An arrangement has been made with them for a ICSHK column in their quarterly magazine Seaview . First column was published in the July issue. With the cumulative extensive experience and knowledge base, Hong Kong Branch has a lot to offer to the Shipping profession. - The Branch has endorsed its support to their Three Places of Cross Strait Logistics and Shipping Seminar to be held on 1st-2nd November, 2003. (c) The Hong Kong Polytechnic University ( PolyU ) The Branch has expressed its support to their Greater China Logistics Forum 2003 of 16th-17th August, 2003. (d) Maritime and Logistics week (27th October 2nd November 2003) The Branch will actively participate in the event.. Promotion and Development (a) Company visits Branch officials paid visits to a number of numerousshipping companies of repute in Hong Kong with a hope of seeking more supports from them to encourage their staff to join the Institute to acquire the well recognized professional qualifications in shipping industry. It is a pleasure to report that the response, in general, the visits have been very encouraging. (b) Sponsorship for prizes to successful students Branch approached some shipping companies of repute who gave their full support to the Branch s Sponsorship programme. Noble Group has sponsored the Overall Best Performer. Individual subjects best performers are sponsored by Clarksons Asia (Sale and Purchase), Pacific Basin (Dry Cargo Chartering), Clyde & Co. (Legal Principles in Shipping), Lloyd s Register (Ship Management) and finally KC Maritime (Shipping Business). This arrangement will be implemented from April 2003 examinations with strict criterion for award of prizes. (c) . This will give a very good exposure to the Institute worldwide. (d) Presentations and Talks into other institutions on behalf of the Branch The Branch Chairman was invited by Hong Kong Polytechnic University to talk to its final year students in September 2002 on Overview of Shipping Business and The Role of Shipbrokers , and introduce our Institute to them.them about the Institute. Branch Website Development We have been gradually beefing up the substance of the Website. Now our members can find the employment news, list of members, past Examination papers, Bye-e-laws, gist of talks etc. We shall develop more links with other institutions for members information. April 2003 Examination The Branch had 23 studentssat for the Examination in almost all the subjects. As usual, we arranged Mariners Club as the venue for the Examination.. Dialogue with Headquarters ( ICS London ) (a) The Branch obtained the authority from ICS London to register any Mainland student under the Hong Kong Branch. (b) A copy each of John Wilson s brief report on the visit to HIT container terminal and Tim Huxley s evening talk was sent to ICS London for the Institute s newsletter the the Shipbrokers . Branch Members The Branch has 3 Honorary Fellows, has Honorary Fellows, 37 Fellows, 103 Members, 6 Retired Members, and 23 Student members. Hong Kong Branch completed the year 2002-03 with a few important and desirable mile stones. The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ISC) - Hong Kong Branch