Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

Hearings S

35.10. (1) The sheriff shall conduct the first, and any subsequent hearing, with a view to securing the expeditious progress of the cause by ascertaining from the parties the matters in dispute.

[F1 (2) The parties shall provide the sheriff with sufficient information to enable him to–

(a) conduct the hearing as provided for in this Chapter,

(b) consider any child witness notice or vulnerable witness application that has been lodged where no order has been made, or

(c) ascertain whether there is or is likely to be a vulnerable witness within the meaning of section 11(1) of the Act of 2004 who is to give evidence at any proof or hearing and whether any order under section 12(1) of the Act of 2004 requires to be made.]

(3) At the first, or any subsequent hearing, the sheriff shall fix a period within which defences, objections or claims shall be lodged, and appoint a date for a second hearing.

(4) Where the list lodged under rule 35.4(2)(a) contains any person who is not a party to the action, the sheriff shall order—

(a) the initial writ to be amended to add that person as a defender;

(b) service of the pleadings so amended to be made on that person, with a citation in Form M6; and

(c) intimation to that person of any condescendence of the fund in medio lodged by a holder of the fund who is not the pursuer.

(5) Where a person to whom service has been made under paragraph (4) lodges a notice of appearance under rule 35.8, the sheriff clerk shall intimate to him in Form M5 the date of the next hearing fixed in the action.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 rule 35.10(2) substituted (1.11.2007) by Act of Sederunt (Ordinary Cause, Summary Application, Summary Cause and Small Claim Rules) Amendment (Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004) 2007 (S.S.I. 2007/463), {art. 2(11)}