The NSW strata Act says the Chair must always chair the meeting if they are present. However, the Strata manager is also, technically, a back-up chairman and has the capacity to act as the chair in the Chairman’s absence or if they have recused themselves either because of a possible conflict of interest or a simply as not being particularly good at managing a roomful of people. In these circumstances, it’s customary for the chair to propose that the Strata Manager take over and for that to be voted on as a formality. However, if push comes to shove, the chairman or chairwoman has the legal right to chair the meeting.