(1)Without prejudice to any right which the landlord has to initiate proceedings in relation to a breach of the statutory conditions as respects a croft, the landlord or any member of the crofting community in the locality of the croft may complain to the Commission that such a breach (other than a breach of the condition as to payment of rent) has occurred.
(2)Provided—
(a)that no proceedings—
(i)such as are mentioned in subsection (1) above; or
(ii)under [F2section 26C] of this Act,
have been initiated; and
(b)that the period allowed the crofter by virtue of subsection (4) below has elapsed,
the Commission may make an application to the Land Court in relation to the breach; but this subsection is subject to subsection (3) below.
(3)Except where the complaint was by the landlord, the Commission shall give him written notice of their intention to make the application; and if within 14 days after receipt of that notice he gives them intimation that he objects, being intimation of the description given in subsection (7) below, they shall not proceed with the application.
(4)Before making the application, the Commission shall give written notice to the crofter of the breach complained of and give him the opportunity to remedy it within such reasonable period as they shall specify in the notice.
(5)Where, on an application under subsection (2) above, the Land Court is satisfied that the breach complained of has occurred, it may—
(a)order that the breach be remedied and specify a time within which that must occur; and
(b)make such order regarding the payment of compensation by the crofter to the landlord as it thinks fit.
(6)Where an order under subsection (5)(a) above is not complied with, the Commission may apply to the Land Court for an order—
(a)terminating the tenancy;
(b)declaring the croft to be vacant; and
(c)for the removal of the tenant from the croft.
(7)The description is that the intimation is given in writing or in another form which, by reason of its having some permanency, is capable of being used for subsequent reference (as, for example, a recording made on audio or video tape).
(8)For the purposes of subsection (7) above (and without prejudice to the generality of that subsection), an intimation is to be treated as given in writing where it is—
(a)transmitted by electronic means;
(b)received in legible form; and
(c)capable of being used for subsequent reference.]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 5A, 5B inserted (25.6.2007) by Crofting Reform etc. Act 2007 (asp 7), ss. 8, 43(3) (with ss. 40, 43(2)); S.S.I. 2007/269, art. 2, sch.
F2Words in s. 5A(2)(a)(ii) substituted (1.10.2011) by Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 14), s. 57(2), sch. 4 para. 3(7) (with s. 57(4)); S.S.I. 2011/334, art. 3, sch. Pt. 1 (with art. 4)