Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

Optional procedure before executing commission and diligence S

[F1 28.3. (1) Subject to rule 28.3A (optional procedure where there is a party litigant), this rule applies where a party has obtained a commission and diligence for the recovery of a document on an application made under rule 28.2(1)(a).

(2) Such a party may, at any time before executing the commission and diligence against a haver, serve on the haver an order in Form G11 (in this rule referred to as “the order”).

(3) The order and a copy of the specification referred to in rule 28.2(2), as approved by the sheriff, must be served on the haver or his known agent and must be complied with by the haver in the manner and within the period specified in the order.

(4) Not later than the day after the date on which the order, and any document recovered, is received from a haver by the party who obtained the order, that party—

(a) must give written intimation of that fact in Form G11A to the sheriff clerk and every other party; and

(b) must—

(i) if the document has been sent by post, send a written receipt for the document in Form G11B to the haver; or

(ii) if the document has been delivered by hand, give a written receipt in Form G11B to the person delivering the document.

(5) Where the party who has recovered any such document does not lodge it in process within 14 days of receipt of it, that party must—

(a) give written intimation to every party that that party may borrow, inspect or copy the document within 14 days after the date of that intimation; and

(b) in so doing, identify the document.

(6) Where a party who has obtained any document under paragraph (5) wishes to lodge the document in process, that party must—

(a) lodge the document within 14 days after receipt of it; and

(b) at the same time, send a written receipt for the document in Form G11C to the party who obtained the order.

(7) Where—

(a) no party wishes to lodge or borrow any such document under paragraph (5), the document is to be returned to the haver by the party who obtained the order within 14 days after the expiry of the period specified in paragraph (5)(a); or

(b) any such document has been uplifted by another party under paragraph (5) and that party does not wish to lodge it in process, the document shall be returned to the haver by that party within 21 days after the date of receipt of it by him.

(8) Any such document lodged in process is to be returned to the haver by the party lodging it within 14 days after the expiry of any period allowed for appeal or, where an appeal has been marked, from the disposal of any such appeal.

(9) If any party fails to return any such document as provided for in paragraph (7) or (8), the haver may apply by motion (whether or not the cause is in dependence) for an order that the document be returned to him and for the expenses occasioned by that motion.

(10) The party holding any such document (being the party who last issued a receipt for it) is responsible for its safekeeping during the period that the document is in his custody or control.

(11) If the party who served the order is not satisfied that—

(a) full compliance has been made with the order, or

(b) adequate reasons for non-compliance have been given,

he may execute the commission and diligence under rule 28.4.

(12) Where an extract from a book of any description (whether the extract is certified or not) is produced under the order, the sheriff may, on the motion of the party who served the order, direct that that party may inspect the book and take copies of any entries falling with the specification.

(13) Where any question of confidentiality arises in relation to a book directed to be inspected under paragraph (12), the inspection shall be made, and any copies shall be taken, at the sight of the commissioner appointed in the interlocutor granting the commission and diligence.

(14) The sheriff may, on cause shown, order the production of any book (not being a banker’s book or book of public record) containing entries falling under a specification, notwithstanding the production of a certified extract from that book.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 rules 28.3, 28.3A substituted for Sch. 1 rule 28.3 (7.7.2014) by Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session, Ordinary Cause Rules and Summary Cause Rules Amendment) (Miscellaneous) 2014 (S.S.I. 2014/152), paras. 1(2), 3(2)