PART IIISDEFENDED FAMILY ACTIONS
Notice of intention to defend and defencesS
33.34.(1)This rule applies where the defender in a family action seeks—
(a)to oppose any crave in the initial writ;
(b)to make a claim for—
(i)aliment;
(ii)an order for financial provision within the meaning of section 8(3) of the Act of 1985; or
(iii)an order relating to parental rights; or
(c)an order—
(i)under section 16(1)(b) or (3) of the Act of 1985 F1 (setting aside or varying agreement as to financial provision);
(ii)under section 18 of the Act of 1985 (which relates to avoidance transactions); or
(iii)under the Act of 1981; or
(d)to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.
(2)In an action to which this rule applies, the defender shall—
(a)lodge a notice of intention to defend in Form F26 before the expiry of the period of notice; and
(b)make any claim or seek any order referred to in paragraph (1), as the case may be, in those defences by setting out in his defences—
(i)craves;
(ii)averments in the answers to the condescendence in support of those craves; and
(iii)appropriate pleas-in-law.
Abandonment by pursuerS
33.35.Notwithstanding abandonment by a pursuer, the court may allow a defender to pursue an order or claim sought in his defences; and the proceedings in relation to that order or claim shall continue in dependence as if a separate cause.
Attendance of parties at Options HearingS
33.36.All parties shall, except on cause shown, attend personally the hearing under rule 9.12 (Options Hearing).
Decree by defaultS
33.37.(1)In a family action in which the defender has lodged a notice of intention to defend, where a party fails—
(a)to lodge, or intimate the lodging of, any production or part of process,
(b)to implement an order of the sheriff within a specified period, or
(c)to appear to be represented at any diet,
that party shall be in default.
(2)Where a party is in default under paragraph (1), the sheriff may—
(a)where the family action is one mentioned in rule 33.1(1)(a) to (h), allow that action to proceed as undefended under Part II of this Chapter; or
(b)where the family action is one mentioned in rule 33.1(1)(i) to (m), grant decree as craved; or
(c)grant decree of absolvitor; or
(d)dismiss the family action or any claim made or order sought; and
(e)award expenses.
(3)Where no party appears at a diet in a family action, the sheriff may dismiss that action.
(4)In a family action, the sheriff may, on cause shown, prorogate the time for lodging any production or part of process, or for intimating or implementing any order.