Act of Sederunt (Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers Rules) 1991

Qualification as officer of court

3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3) below, a person may not be an officer of court unless–

(a) he has attained the age of 20 years;

(b) he is not over the age of 70 years;

(c) subject to rule 5(2) below, he has undergone a period of training for three years with a person who is in practice as an officer of court;

(d) the officer of court with whom he has undergone a period of training has issued a certificate stating that the period of training has been completed satisfactorily;

(e) within five years before applying for a commission as a sheriff officer, he has passed all such examinations as may be required by the committee of examiners; and

(f) he has attained the educational standard determined by the committee of examiners.

(2) An officer of court shall retire from practice as an officer of court on attaining the age of 70 years.

(3) Paragraph (1) of this rule shall not apply to a person who was in practice as an officer of court on 30th November 1988.

(4) Paragraph (2) of this rule shall not apply to a person who was–

(a) in practice as an officer of court, and

(b) aged 70 years or over,

on 30th November 1988.