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

Caution and professional indemnity insurance

9.—(1) An officer of court and any partnership of officers of court shall be covered by–

(a) a bond of caution to the value of not less than £50,000 in respect of each claim covering each commission held by each officer of court to whom the bond of caution applies as a sheriff officer and, where applicable, as a messenger-at-arms, and

(b) a policy of professional indemnity insurance for not less than £100,000 in respect of each claim–

(i) in the case of an officer of court, covering each commission held by him as a sheriff officer and, where applicable, as a messenger-at-arms, and any employee of the officer of court; and

(ii) in the case of a partnership of officers of court, covering the firm, any partner of the firm in respect of each commission held by him as a sheriff officer and, where applicable, as a messenger-at-arms, and any employee of the firm.

(2) The bond of caution and policy of professional indemnity insurance required under paragraph (1) above shall be incorporated in a single document and shall be–

(a) in such terms as may be approved by the sheriffs principal and the Lord Lyon;

(b) obtained from a company on the list of guarantee companies approved by the Lord President under rule 200(e)(iv) of the Rules of the Court of Session(1); and

(c) renewed annually.

(1)

S.I. 1965/321.