177.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), any provision (whether contained in the rules of a credit union or in any contract with a credit union or otherwise) for exempting an officer F420[…] of a credit union from, or indemnifying him against, any liability which, by virtue of any rule of law, would otherwise attach to him in respect of any negligence, breach of duty or breach of trust of which he may be guilty in relation to the credit union shall be void.

(2) A credit union may indemnify an officer F421[…] against any liability incurred by him in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted, or in connection with an application under section 178 in which relief is granted.