Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

Recording of evidence S

29.18. [F1 (1)] Evidence in a cause shall be recorded by —

(a) a shorthand writer, to whom the oath de fideli administratione in connection with the sheriff court service generally has been administered, or

(b) tape recording or other mechanical means approved by the court,

unless the parties, by agreement and with the approval of the sheriff, dispense with the recording of evidence.

(2) Where a shorthand writer is employed to record evidence, he shall, in the first instance, be paid by the parties equally.

(3) Where evidence is recorded by tape recording or other mechanical means, any fee payable shall, in the first instance, be paid by the parties in equal proportions.

(4) The solicitors for the parties shall be personally liable for the fees payable under paragraph (2) or (3), and the sheriff may make an order directing payment to be made.

(5) The record of the evidence at a proof shall include—

(a) any objection taken to a question or to the line of evidence;

(b) any submission made in relation to such an objection; and

(c) the ruling of the court in relation to the objection and submission.

(6) A transcript of the record of the evidence shall be made only on the direction of the sheriff; and the cost shall, in the first instance, be borne—

(a) in an undefended cause, by the solicitor for the pursuer; and

(b) in a defended cause, by the [F2 solicitors] for the parties in equal proportions.

(7) The transcript of the record of the evidence provided for the use of the court shall be certified as a faithful record of the evidence by—

(a) the shorthand writer who recorded the evidence; or

(b) where the evidence was recorded by tape recording or other mechanical means, by the persons who transcribed the record.

(8) The sheriff may make such alterations to the transcript of the record of the evidence as appear to him to be necessary after hearing the parties; and, where such alterations are made, the sheriff shall authenticate the alterations.

(9) Where a transcript of the record of the evidence has been made for the use of the sheriff, copies of it may be obtained by any party from the person who transcribed the record on payment of his fee.

(10) Except with leave of the sheriff, the transcript of the record of the evidence may be borrowed from process only for the purpose of enabling a party to consider whether to appeal against the interlocutor of the sheriff on the proof.

(11) Where a transcript of the record of the evidence is required for the purpose of an appeal but has not been directed to be transcribed under paragraph (6), the appellant—

(a) may request such a transcript from the shorthand writer or as the case may be, the cost of the transcript being borne by the solicitor for the appellant in the first instance; and

(b) shall lodge the transcript in process;

and copies of it may be obtained by any party from the shorthand writer or as the case may be, on payment of his fee.

(12) Where the recording of evidence has been dispensed with under paragraph (1), the sheriff, if called upon to do so, shall—

(a) in the case of an objection to—

(i) the admissibility of evidence on the ground of confidentiality, or

(ii) the production of a document on any ground,

note the terms in writing of such objections and his decisions on the objection; and

(b) in the case of any other objection, record, in the note to his interlocutor disposing of the merits of the cause, the terms of the objection and his decision on the objection.

(13) This rule shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to the recording of evidence at a commis sion as it applies to the recording of evidence at a proof.

Textual Amendments

F1 Rule 29.18: “-(1)” inserted after “29.18” (1.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2445, para. 3(40)(a)

F2 Word in rule 29.18(6)(b) substituted (1.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2445, para. 3(40)(b)