Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

Appointment of curators ad litem to defenders S

33.16. (1) This rule applies to an action of divorce [F1 , separation or declarator of nullity of marriage] where it appears to the court that the defender is suffering from a mental disorder.

(2) In an action to which this rule applies, the sheriff shall—

(a) appoint a curator ad litem to the defender;

(b) where the facts set out in section 1(2)(d) of the Act of 1976 (no cohabitation for [F2 one year] with consent of defender to decree) are relied on—

(i) make an order for intimation of the ground of the action to the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland; and

(ii) include in such an order a requirement that the Commission sends to the sheriff clerk a report indicating whether in its opinion the defender is capable of deciding whether or not to give consent to the granting of decree.

(3) Within 7 days after the appointment of a curator ad litem under paragraph (2)(a), the pursuer shall send to him—

(a) a copy of the initial writ and any defences (including any adjustments and amendments) lodged; and

(b) a copy of [F3 any notice] in Form G5 sent to him by the [F4 sheriff] clerk.

(4) On receipt of a report required under paragraph (2)(b)(ii), the sheriff clerk shall—

(a) lodge the report in process; and

(b) intimate that this has been done to—

(i) the pursuer;

(ii) the solicitor for the defender, if known; and

(iii) the curator ad litem.

(5) The curator ad litem shall lodge in process one of the writs mentioned in paragraph (6)—

(a) within 14 days after the report required under paragraph (2)(b)(ii) has been lodged in process; or

(b) where no such report is required, within 21 days after the date of his appointment under paragraph (2)(a).

(6) The writs referred to in paragraph (5) are—

(a) a notice of intention to defend;

(b) defences to the action;

(c) a minute adopting defences already lodged; and

(d) a minute stating that the curator ad litem does not intend to lodge defences.

(7) Notwithstanding that he has lodged a minute stating that he does not intend to lodge defences, a curator ad litem may appear at any stage of the action to protect the interests of the defender.

(8) If, at any time, it appears to the curator ad litem that the defender is not suffering from mental disorder, he may report that fact to the court and seek his own discharge.

(9) The pursuer shall be responsible, in the first instance, for payment of the fees and outlays of the curator ad litem incurred during the period from his appointment until—

(a) he lodges a minute stating that he does not intend to lodge defences;

(b) he decides to instruct the lodging of defences or a minute adopting defences already lodged; or

(c) being satisfied after investigation that the defender is not suffering from mental disorder, he is discharged.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 1 rule 33.16(1) substituted (4.5.2006) by Act of Sederunt (Ordinary Cause Rules) Amendment (Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 etc.) 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/207), paras. 1, 2(22)(a)

F2 Words in Sch. 1 rule 33.16(2)(b) substituted (4.5.2006) by Act of Sederunt (Ordinary Cause Rules) Amendment (Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 etc.) 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/207), paras. 1, 2(22)(b)

F3 Words in Sch. 1 rule 33.16(3)(b) substituted (1.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2445, para. 3(47)(a)

F4 Word in Sch. 1 rule 33.16(3)(b) substituted (1.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2445, para. 3(47)(b)