Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

[F1 CHAPTER 13A S INTERVENTIONS BY THE COMMISSION FOR EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 Chapters 13A 13B inserted (1.7.2008) by Act of Sederunt (Sheriff Court Rules) (Miscellaneous Amendments) 2008 (S.S.I. 2008/223), para. 4(2)

Interpretation S

13A.1. In this Chapter “the CEHR” means the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Interventions by the CEHR S

13A.2. (1) The CEHR may apply to the sheriff for leave to intervene in any cause in accordance with this Chapter.

(2) This Chapter is without prejudice to any other entitlement of the CEHR by virtue of having title and interest in relation to the subject matter of any proceedings by virtue of section 30(2) of the Equality Act 2006 F2 or any other enactment to seek to be sisted as a party in those proceedings.

(3) Nothing in this Chapter shall affect the power of the sheriff to make such other direction as he considers appropriate in the interests of justice.

(4) Any decision of the sheriff in proceedings under this Chapter shall be final and not subject to appeal.

Textual Amendments

F2 2006 c. 3.

Applications to intervene S

13A.3. (1) An application for leave to intervene shall be by way of minute of intervention in Form O7A and the CEHR shall–

(a) send a copy of it to all the parties; and

(b) lodge it in process, certifying that subparagraph (a) has been complied with.

(2) A minute of intervention shall set out briefly–

(a) the CEHR's reasons for believing that the proceedings are relevant to a matter in connection with which the CEHR has a function;

(b) the issue in the proceedings which the CEHR wishes to address; and

(c) the propositions to be advanced by the CEHR and the CEHR's reasons for believing that they are relevant to the proceedings and that they will assist the sheriff.

(3) The sheriff may–

(a) refuse leave without a hearing;

(b) grant leave without a hearing unless a hearing is requested under paragraph (4);

(c) refuse or grant leave after such a hearing.

(4) A hearing, at which the applicant and the parties may address the court on the matters referred to in paragraph (6)(c), may be held if, within 14 days of the minute of intervention being lodged, any of the parties lodges a request for a hearing.

(5) Any diet in pursuance of paragraph (4) shall be fixed by the sheriff clerk who shall give written intimation of the diet to the CEHR and all the parties.

(6) The sheriff may grant leave only if satisfied that–

(a) the proceedings are relevant to a matter in connection with which the CEHR has a function;

(b) the propositions to be advanced by the CEHR are relevant to the proceedings and are likely to assist him; and

(c) the intervention will not unduly delay or otherwise prejudice the rights of the parties, including their potential liability for expenses.

(7) In granting leave the sheriff may impose such terms and conditions as he considers desirable in the interests of justice, including making provision in respect of any additional expenses incurred by the parties as a result of the intervention.

(8) The sheriff clerk shall give written intimation of a grant or refusal of leave to the CEHR and all the parties.

Form of intervention S

13A.4. (1) An intervention shall be by way of a written submission which (including any appendices) shall not exceed 5000 words.

(2) The CEHR shall lodge the submission and send a copy of it to all the parties by such time as the sheriff may direct.

(3) The sheriff may in exceptional circumstances–

(a) allow a longer written submission to be made;

(b) direct that an oral submission is to be made.

(4) Any diet in pursuance of paragraph (3)(b) shall be fixed by the sheriff clerk who shall give written intimation of the diet to the CEHR and all the parties.]