AUCTION SALES ACT - 1989 (PNDCL 230)
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(1) There is hereby established an Auctioneers Registration Board consisting of
(a) one representative of the Ministry of Interior who shall be the chairman of the Board,
(b) the Registrar-General or one representative of the Registrar-General,
(c) the Inspector-General of Police or one representative of the Inspector-General of Police not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police,
(d) one representative of the Ministry of Local Government,
(e) one representative of the Ghana Institute of Surveyors,
(f) one representative of the Ghana Auctioneers Association, and
(g) three other persons who in the opinion of the President can assist the Board in the performance of its functions.
(2) A member of the Board shall be appointed for the period and on the terms and conditions determined by the President.
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(1) The functions of the Board are,
(a) to register auctioneers,
(b) to grant a license to an auctioneer or to revoke or suspend a license,
(c) to establish standards for the conducting of auction sales, and
(d) to receive complaints made by a member of the public in respect of registered auctioneer or relating to an auction sale and take disciplinary action.
(2) The Board shall keep a register of auctioneers in which the Board shall enter the names and particulars of auctioneers licensed under this Act.
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(1) The Board shall meet at least once in every three months at the times and places determined by the Chairman.
(2) The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Board and in the absence of the Chairman, a member of the Board elected by the members present from among themselves shall preside.
(3) The quorum at a meeting of the Board is five.
(4) The validity of the proceedings of the Board shall not be affected by a vacancy in its membership or by a defect in the appointment of a member of the Board.
(5) Subject to this section, the Board shall regulate its own procedure.
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(1) A person shall not be registered to practise as an auctioneer unless that person
(a) has passed the prescribed written examination conducted jointly by the Ghana Institute of Surveyors and the Ghana Auctioneers Association, and
(b) has served as an apprentice for one year under a licensed auctioneer.
(2) An auctioneer is bound by the rules of conduct laid down by the Board.
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(1) A person shall not practise as an auctioneer unless that person possesses an auctioneer's licence granted by the Board.
(2) An application for a licence shall be in writing, and addressed to the Board.
(3) The Board shall grant a licence to an applicant where it is satisfied with its investigations concerning the application and shall enter the name of the applicant in the register of auctioneers.
(4) The Board may on reasonable grounds, refuse to grant a licence to an applicant.
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(1) The Board shall not issue a licence to an applicant unless the applicant enters into a bond in the form set out in the Second Schedule.
(2) The Board shall prescribe the value of the bond.
(3) Where it appears to the Board that the security of any auctioneer is or has become insufficient, it shall call upon the auctioneer to give sufficient security and if the auctioneer fails to do so within one month, the Board may suspend the licence of that auctioneer until sufficient security is given.
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(1) An auctioneer shall, before the commencement of a sale by auction and during the time of the sale, display in a conspicuous part of the place where the auction is being held a notice containing
(a) the full name and residence or the name of the firm and the office address of the auctioneer written in large letters so as to be publicly visible and legible, and
(b) a clear description giving particulars of the quality and quantity of the items intended to be auctioned.
(2) An auctioneer who fails to comply with the requirement of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both the fine and the imprisonment and the Board shall suspend the licence of the auctioneer for a period defined by the Board, or revoke the licence.
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(1) Where the Board makes an order suspending a licence, the licence shall cease to be of any effect during the period of suspension.
(2) Where the licence is revoked, the licence shall cease to have effect and the registration of the auctioneer shall be cancelled.
(3) Any auctioneer aggrieved by the suspension or revocation under subsection (1) or subsection (2) may petition the High Court for the restoration of the licence.
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(1) Subject to subsection (2), an auctioneer shall, at the request of the owner of a property, undertake the sale of the property and shall sell the property within the time that the owner requires, or as soon as is possible, having regard to the sale or any other property with which the auctioneer is entrusted.
(2) The auctioneer is not bound to sell the property sooner than seven days after the undertaking to sell that property.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not be construed as restricting an auctioneer from selling at the properties of more than one owner if those properties are lotted consecutively and in a manner which shows that the property of one owner is not mixed with the property of any other owners.
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(1) Where the goods to be sold by auction are not perishable or damaged goods, the auctioneer shall give not less than seven days notice of the sale to the District Chief Executive of the district where the sale is to take place.
(2) A notice of sale shall
(a) state the time and place of the sale, and
(b) give a catalogue of the goods to be sold.
(3) The auctioneer shall exhibit copies of the notice conspicuously for two days and at not less than three public places in the district.
(4) Without prejudice to subsection (3), the auctioneer shall ensure that notice of the sale is given on the day of the sale through the beating of a drum, a gong-gong or any other means of communication as may be appropriate in the area.
(5) An auctioneer who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred penalty units or to imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
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(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a licence granted under this Act shall not authorise a person to deal in or sell, on account of or for the benefit of that person or of any other person, any spirits the sale of which a licence is required by law, except on premises in respect of which the owner of the spirits has taken out a proper licence for the sale of the spirits which is in force at the time of the sale.
(2) A licensed auctioneer may sell by auction, in a town or place, samples of any spirits if the owner of the spirits is duly licensed to sell those spirits in that town or place.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) spirits shall not be sold at that sale in any smaller lots or quantities than the whole contents of the cask or other vessel in which the spirits are actually contained at the time of sale.
(4) Subsection (2) does not restrict a licensed auctioneer from selling spirits which may be sold without a licence under the Liquor Licensing Act, 1970 (Act 331) or any other enactment.
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(1) A sale by auction of any land shall not take place unless the auctioneer has given at least twenty-one days public notice of the sale at the major town of the district in which the land is situated, and at the place of the intended sale.
(2) The notice shall be in writing and shall state the name and place of residence of the vendor and, where necessary, by the beating of drum or gong-gong or any other method intelligible to the public as the District Chief Executive of the district where the sale is to take place may direct.
(3) An auctioneer who sells land by auction in contravention of a provision of this section commits and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
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(1) An auctioneer shall state the particulars or conditions of sale by auction of the goods or land whether the sale is without reserve, or subject to a reserved price, and whether a right to bid is reserved by the vendor.
(2) Where the auction sale is as a result of a judgment debt, the sale shall be subject to a reserved price to be determined by the Court which gave the judgment.
(3) Where the sale is without a reserved price the vendor or person acting on behalf of, or employed by, the vendor shall not bid at that sale and the auctioneer shall not knowingly take that bidding.
(4) Where the sale is subject to a reserved price as regards a specified lot or more specified lots, the vendor or any person employed by the vendor may give one bid for each lot and no more, and the bid shall be openly declared at the auction on the lot being put up for sale, before any other bidding for that lot is received.
(5) Where the sale is subject to the right of the vendor to bid, the vendor or a person acting on behalf of the vendor, but not more than one, may bid at that auction in the manner that the vendor thinks proper.
(6) Where the vendor or a person acting on behalf of, or employed by, the vendor bids at a sale contrary to a provision of this section, a purchaser may refuse to fulfil the purchase but the highest bona fide bidder is entitled, if that bidder so elects, to have the goods or land at the price offered by that bidder.
(7) A sale which is subject to a reserved price shall not take effect even when the property is knocked down to the highest bidder if the highest bid is lower than the reserved price and in that case the highest bidder does not have a right of action.
(8) Where an auctioneer signs a memorandum of the contract after accepting a bid below the reserved price, the auctioneer thereby impliedly warrants that the auctioneer has authority to sell at the price named, and is liable to the purchaser for breach of warranty of authority.
(9) An auctioneer who knowingly receives a bid made contrary to a provision of this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding seven hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
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(1) An auctioneer shall, within seven days after an auction sale conducted by that auctioneer, furnish a complete account of the sale verified by that auctioneer by statutory declaration to the District Chief Executive of the district, specifying the price at which each lot was sold.
(2) An auctioneer who fails to furnish that complete account commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty penalty units or to imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
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(1) An auctioneer making a sale by auction is prohibited, unless it is agreed otherwise between the auctioneer and the vendor, to sue for the recovery of the sum of money and the discharge of all liabilities due in respect of that sale.
(2) An auctioneer is liable, unless it is otherwise agreed between the auctioneer and the vendor, for the due payment to the vendor of the net proceeds of every sale of property within ten days from the date of the sale of the property.
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(1) Despite any other enactment to the contrary, in the absence of an express instruction from the vendor, an auctioneer shall not receive payment of the purchase-money otherwise than in cash.
(2) Unless excluded by the express terms of the conditions of a sale, the implied authority of an auctioneer includes the authority to receive a deposit on sale of goods.
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(1) The employment of an auctioneer to sell property by public auction does not authorise the auctioneer in case the public auction fails to sell the property by private contract.
(2) An auctioneer may sell the auctioneer's own property as principal in which case the auctioneer may not disclose the fact of selling as principal.
(3) An auctioneer is the agent only of the vendor where the auctioneer sells as an agent and for the purposes of signing the contract the auctioneer is also the agent of the purchaser.
(4) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), and without prejudice to the express instructions of the vendor, an auctioneer has an implied authority to sell or deal in the subject-matter of the sale in the way usual and customary amongst auctioneers.
(5) The authority conferred by subsection (4) does not relieve the auctioneer of any liability for injury caused by the negligence of the auctioneer to a person attending the sale unless the injury is caused by an unlawful act or thing which the auctioneer was authorised to do by the vendor.
(6) An auctioneer does not have an implied authority to conclude a sale by private contract but where the vendor accepts a purchaser introduced by the auctioneer and the vendor concludes a sale to the purchaser by private treaty, the auctioneer has a right to claim remuneration from the vendor.
(7) Where an auctioneer has received payment by cheque or other bill of exchange without the authority of the vendor, or contrary to the authority of the vendor whether express or implied, the vendor is not bound by the payment and the purchaser remains liable for the payment of the purchase money in which case the vendor may sue the auctioneer for the damages sustained by vendor.
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(1) Unless by express instructions of the vendor, an auctioneer does not have the authority to give a warranty at the auction.
(2) An unauthorised warranty given by the auctioneer does not bind the vendor and the auctioneer is personally liable to the purchaser for breach of warranty of authority.
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(1) Until the time of conclusion of sale and unless the contract gives the auctioneer an authority coupled with an interest, the authority of an auctioneer may be revoked either expressly or in any of the circumstances in which an agreement may ordinarily be terminated.
(2) The authority of an auctioneer may be withdrawn although the auctioneer has advertised the property for sale and incurred expenses in respect of that advertisement.
(3) An auctioneer is liable for trespass if after the termination of the authority, the auctioneer enters the premises of the vendor for the purpose of effecting a sale.
(4) Where the authority of the auctioneer is revoked, the auctioneer shall not give the highest bidder right to the property even though the highest bidder is not aware that the authority of the auctioneer is revoked.
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(1) Subject to subsection (2), the advertisement of an auction is merely an intimation of an intention to sell, and in the absence of fraud, intending purchasers who attend an auction do not have a right of action if the property is not put up for sale or where the property put up for sale is withdrawn.
(2) Where an advertisement amounts to a representation of fact that the auctioneer is authorised to sell and this representation is fraudulent, a person who incurs an expense on the faith of the fraudulent representation may sue the auctioneer in tort.
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(1) An auctioneer is a bailee for reward and shall exercise ordinary care and diligence in keeping the goods entrusted to the auctioneer.
(2) An auctioneer shall on demand by the vendor, redeliver the vendor's goods to the vendor except where a right of lien exists in favour of the auctioneer
(a) before sale, if the authority to sell is revoked, or
(b) after sale, if the goods are unsold.
(3) An auctioneer shall sign a proper contract binding the purchaser and on failing to do so is liable to the vendor for any damages sustained as a consequence of that failure.
(4) The purchase of property at an auction by the auctioneer personally without the vendor's consent is voidable and may be set aside at the instance of the vendor unless there is evidence of acquiescence.
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(1) An auctioneer shall account for the moneys received by the auctioneer on behalf of the vendor and shall pay such money to the vendor.
(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), an auctioneer is in a fiduciary position in respect of such moneys received on behalf of the vendor and an order to pay may be made against the auctioneer as trustee which, if disobeyed, may render him liable to attachment.
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A bid is a mere offer and may be retracted by the bidder before the auctioneer announces the completion of the sale and, until the property is actually knocked down, complete contract of sale does not exist.
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The vendor may, before the completion of the sale at an auction, withdraw the property from the auction, unless the sale is subject to a reserved price which has not been reached.
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(1) The remuneration of an auctioneer for selling property by auction shall not exceed seven percent on the gross amount of the sale.
(2) Where property exposed for sale is bought by or on behalf of the vendor, the remuneration of the auctioneer shall not exceed three percent of the amount at which the property has been so bought if such amount is less than five hundred thousand cedis or two percent if it exceeds that amount.
(3) An agreement to pay or allow any rates higher than those specified in this section is not valid or binding, and an auctioneer who receives or retains a higher sale out of the proceeds is liable to have the licence of that auctioneer suspended or revoked by the Board.
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(1) Subject to subsection (2), where the property is knocked down in an auction, the purchaser has a right of action against the auctioneer where the auctioneer fails to sign a binding contract.
(2) An auctioneer is not under obligation to sign a binding contract where the property is advertised to be sold with a reserved price and the bid of the highest bidder, to whom the property is knocked down, does not reach the reserved price.
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(1) An auctioneer may, by reason of the lien of the auctioneer on, or special interest in, the property for sale by auction, maintain an action in the name of that auctioneer for the price of the goods sold and delivered by the auctioneer.
(2) Where the goods sold are not the property of the vendor and are claimed by the true owner before payment is made by the purchaser, the auctioneer shall not maintain an action for the price even though the purchaser has taken away the goods under an express promise to pay.
(3) An auctioneer by virtue of his lien of that auctioneer and special interest in the property for sale by auction, may maintain an action of trespass or detinue against any person who wrongfully interferes with or destroys the goods.
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(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), goods delivered to an auctioneer for sale are privileged from distress whilst at the auctioneer's ordinary place of business or on the premises temporarily hired for the auction.
(2) The privilege conferred by subsection (1) does not apply to goods on the vendor's premises even though the goods are the subject-matter of an auction sale.
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(1) Subject to subsection (2), an action for conversion may lie against an auctioneer who, with or without knowledge of the true ownership of goods in cases not covered by the Sale of Goods Act, 1962 (Act 137), deals with the property.
(2) An act does not amount to conversion,
(a) if it is a mere advertisement for sale without an actual sale,
(b) where there is a contract of sale between the vendor and the purchaser and the auctioneer acting as agent of the vendor has not taken possession or interfered with the title in the property,
(c) where there is a private contract between the vendor and a purchaser and the auctioneer who has possession of the goods merely delivers the goods to the purchaser, or
(d) where, without a physical interference with the goods, the auctioneer merely arranges the price and the goods are delivered by the vendor.
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(1) Where it appears to the Court imposing a fine under this Act on an auctioneer, that the offence is of a nature that requires the licence of auctioneer to be suspended or revoked, the Court shall make an order to that effect and accordingly the Board shall suspend or revoke the licence.
(2) The Court shall, on making an order of suspension or revocation of a licence, forthwith notify the Board which shall publish the order of suspension or revocation in the Gazette and in one daily newspaper with national circulation.
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An auctioneer shall open and keep separate bank accounts for the moneys of the clients and shall, in respect of such accounts provide particulars and other information, moneys received, held and paid by the auctioneer for or on account of the client.
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The Board shall submit to the Minister, not later than three months after the end of each financial year, a report on its activities in respect of that year, together with a statement of income and expenses for the year.
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(1) The books and account of the Board shall be audited each year by the Auditor-General.
(2) The Auditor-General shall examine the statement of income and expenses of the Board and certify whether they are in conformity with the Board's records.
(3) The Auditor-General shall submit the report on the audit under this section to the Minister within three months after the end of each financial year.
(4) The Minister shall, within one month of the receipt of the report, lay the report before Parliament.
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In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
"Auditor-General" includes an auditor appointed by the Auditor-General;
"Board" means the Board established by section 1;
"Court" includes the High Court and any other court of competent jurisdiction;
"district" means the area of authority of a District Assembly;
"member" means a member of the Board;
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for the Interior;
"register" means the register of auctioneers.
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The Minister responsible for Interior may, by legislative instrument, make Regulations prescribing the matters that by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed and for carrying out or giving full effect to this Act.
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(1) The Auction Sales Ordinance (Cap. 196) and the Auction Sales Ordinance (Amendment) 1983 (P.N.D.C.L. 56) are hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeals in subsection (1) of this section-
(a) any regulations made thereunder and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall so far as they are consistent with the provisions of this Act remain in force; and
(b) any licence issued under the repealed enactment and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in force until the expiration of such licence.
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE
[Section 6]
Auctioneer's Licence
LICENCE is hereby granted to.................................................................................................... to carry on the business of an auctioneer until the .............. day of ................. 20 ................... subject to the Auction Sales Act.
Dated at ................................... this ......... day of ..................... 20 ................................
Fee paid c.........................................
Chairman of the Board
SECOND SCHEDULE
[Section 8]
BOND
We.............................................................. declare ourselves bound unto the Republic in the sum of c................ to be paid to the Republic to which payment we bind ourselves jointly and severally our heirs, executors, and administrators, and every one of them firmly by this bond.
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Sealed with our seals ................................................................
Dated this ....................................................... day of ..................... 20...........................
WHEREAS the above bounded .......................................... has (or have) applied for a licence under the Auction Sales Act, authorising ......................................... to carry on the business of an auctioneer from the .............. day of ..................... until ...................... next and the application has been approved as the surety (or sureties) ............................................................................................................................................
Now the condition of this obligation is that if ........................................... complies with the provisions of the Auction Sales Act, then this obligation shall be void, otherwise it shall remain in full force.
Signed, sealed and delivered by the said
...................................} L.S
In the presence of
............................................
Signed, sealed and delivered by the said
..............................................} L.S
In the presence of
.............................................
Signed, sealed and delivered by the said
..............................................} L.S
In the presence of
.............................................
Made this 25th day of July, 1989.
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