Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

Service in cases of mental disorder of defender S

33.13. (1) In a family action where the defender suffers or appears to suffer from mental disorder and is resident in a hospital or other similar institution, citation shall be executed by registered post or the first class recorded delivery service addressed to the medical officer in charge of that hospital or institution; and there shall be included with the copy of the initial writ—

(a) a citation in Form F15;

(b) any notice required by rule 33.14(1);

(c) a request in Form F17;

(d) a form of certificate in Form F18 requesting the medical officer to—

(i) deliver and explain the initial writ, citation and any notice or form of notice of consent required under rule 33.14(1) personally to the defender; or

(ii) certify that such delivery or explanation would be dangerous to the health or mental condition of the defender; and

(e) a stamped envelope addressed for return of that certificate to the pursuer or his solicitor, if he has one.

(2) The medical officer referred to in paragraph (1) shall send the certificate in Form F18 duly completed to the pursuer or his solicitor, as the case may be.

(3) The certificate mentioned in paragraph (2) shall be attached to the certificate of citation.

(4) Where such a certificate bears that the initial writ has not been delivered to the defender, the sheriff may, at any time before decree—

(a) order such further medical inquiry, and

(b) make such order for further service or intimation,

as he thinks fit.