Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

SCHEDULES

[F1 FIRST SCHEDULE] S RULES FOR REGULATING THE PROCEDURE OF THE ORDINARY CAUSE

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 (with appendix) substituted by S.I. 1983/747, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1: certain rules and forms applied by S.I. 1976/476, para. 3, S.I. 1988/1976, para. 2(1), Sch. rule 2, Appendix 2 and S.I. 1990/661, para. 3

C2 Sch. 1 applied by Bankruptcy Act 1985 (c. 66, SIF 66), s. 47(4) (as amended by S.I. 1986/517, para. 5)

INTRODUCTION S

Dispensing power of sheriff S

1 The sheriff may in his discretion relieve any party from the consequences of any failure to comply with the provisions of these Rules which is shown to be due to mistake, oversight or other cause, not being wilful non-observance of the same, on such terms and conditions as seem just; and in any such case the sheriff may make such order as seems just by way of extension of time, lodging or amendment of paper or otherwise so as to enable the cause to proceed as if such failure had not happened.

Representation S

[F2 2 (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this rule, a party to any proceedings arising solely under the provisions of the Debtors (Scotland) Act M1 1987 shall be entitled to be represented by a person other than a solicitor or an advocate provided that the sheriff is satisfied that such person is a suitable representative and is duly authorised to represent the party.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to appeals to the sheriff principal.

(3) Where a party to any cause is represented by a solicitor, any reference in the rules to that party shall, where appropriate, be construed as a reference to the solicitor representing that party.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Rule 2 substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 3

Marginal Citations

M1 1987 c.18(45:2).

Initial Procedure S

S commencement of cause

The initial writ S

[F3 3 (1)] All ordinary causes shall be commenced by initial writ as nearly as may be in accordance with Form A as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

[F4 (2) The initial writ shall contain averments about any agreement which the pursuer has reason to believe may exist prorogating jurisdiction over the subject matter of the cause to another court.

(3) The initial writ shall contain averments about any proceedings which the pursuer has reason to believe may be pending before another court involving the same cause of action and between the same parties as those named in the initial writ.

[F5 (4) An article of condescendence shall be included in the initial writ stating the ground of jurisdiction of the court.]]

[F6 [F7 (5)] In an action of divorce or of separation . . . F8 the initial writ shall contain an article of condescendence specifying whether to the knowledge of the pursuer any proceedings are continuing in Scotland or in any other country which are in respect of the marriage to which the initial writ relates or are capable of affecting its validity or subsistence, and, if such proceedings are continuing, shall further specify—

(a) the court, tribunal or authority before which they have been commenced;

(b) the date of commencement;

(c) the names of the parties;

(d) whether any proof or other hearing has been appointed, and, if so, the date; and

(e) any other relevant facts in connection with such proceedings which might assist the sheriff to determine whether the action before him should be sisted in terms of his powers under Schedule 3 to the M2 Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973 (sisting of consistorial actions).

[F7 (6)] For the purposes of [F9 paragraph (5)], proceedings shall be treated as continuing where proceedings, in respect of that marriage or capable of affecting its validity, have been instituted before a court, tribunal or other authority and such proceedings have not been finally disposed of.

[F7 (7)] The information required by [F9 paragraph (5)] shall, in all actions of divorce or of separation . . . F8 , be inserted in any defences or minute lodged by any party in such action, insofar as that information is additional to or contradictory of any such particulars provided by the pursuer in the action, or in any case in which the pursuer has provided no such statement.

[F7 (8)] Any application made by any party in an action of divorce or separation . . . F8 for an order in terms of Schedule 2 (ancillary and collateral orders), or for a sist of such an action or the recall of a sist in terms of Schedule 3, to the M3 Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973, shall be made by written motion.

[F10 [F7 (9)] Unless the sheriff on cause shown otherwise directs, in an action of divorce a warrant for citation shall not be granted without there being produced with the initial writ—

(a) an extract of the relevant entry in the register of marriages; and

(b) where appropriate, an extract of the relevant entry in the register of births.]]

[F11 [F7 (10)] In an action relating to the custody of a child by a person by virtue of section 47 of the M4 Children Act 1975—

(a) the parents of the child shall be named and designed in the initial writ as defenders in the cause; and

(b) if their address is known, citation of and service upon them shall proceed in accordance with rules 8 to 10, 12, and 15 to 17.

[F7 (11)] In an action for custody of a child in which consent of the parent [F12 tutor, curator] or guardian of the child is required by [F13 section 47] of the Children Act 1975, a form of consent as nearly as may be in accordance with Form T1 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule shall be lodged in process.]

Textual Amendments

F3 Rule 3 renumbered as rule 3(1) by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(2)

F4 Rule 3(2)–(4) added by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(2)(b)

F5 Rule 3(4) substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 4(1)

F6 Paragraphs added by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(2)

F7 Paragraph renumbered by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(2)(a)

F8 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(2)(a)

F9 Words substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 4(2)

F10 Paragraph substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(2)(b)

F11 Paragraphs inserted by S.I. 1986/513, para. 2(2)

F12 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(2)(a)

F13 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 Sch. 1 rule 3 excluded (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/920, rule 2(1)

Marginal Citations

M2 1973 c.45(49:4).

M3 1973 c.45(49:4).

M4 1975 c.72(49:9,10).

Signature and backing of initial writ S

4 The initial writ shall be signed by the pursuer or his solicitor and the name and address of that solicitor, if any, shall be stated upon the back of every service copy.

Warrant of citation S

5 (1) The warrant of citation [F14 in any ordinary cause other than an action of divorce and of separation [F15 or an action in which a time to pay direction under the M5 Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 may be applied for by the defender] . . . F16 ] shall be framed as nearly as may be in accordance with Form B as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

[F17 (2) In an action of divorce or of separation . . . F16 the warrant of citation shall be framed as nearly as may be in accordance with Form B1 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.]

[F18 (3)] [F19 subject to paragraph 4, in] a summary application, where citation is necessary, the warrant of citation shall be framed as nearly as may be in accordance with Form B2 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

[F20 (4) In a summary application in which a time to pay direction under the M6 Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 may be applied for by the defender, the warrant of citation shall be framed as nearly as may be in accordance with Form B3 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(5) In an ordinary cause in which a time to pay direction under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 may be applied for by the defender, the warrant of citation shall be framed as nearly as may be in accordance with Form B4 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(6) In any cause in which warrant for citation in accordance with Forms B3 or B4, as the case may be, is appropriate, there shall be served on the defender (along with the initial writ and warrant) a notice in accordance with Form B5 (ordinary action) or B6 (summary application), as the case may be, as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.]

Textual Amendments

F14 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(3)(a)

F15 Words inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 5(1)

F16 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(3)

F17 Rule 5(2) inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(3)(c)

F18 Paragraph renumbered by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(3)(b)

F19 Words substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 5(2)

F20 Rule 5(4)–(6) inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 5(3)

Marginal Citations

M5 1987 c.18(45:2).

M6 1987 c.18(45:2).

Application for a warrant for arrestment to found jurisdiction S

6 (1) Application for a warrant for arrestment to found jurisdiction may be made in the crave of the initial writ.

(2) Averments to justify the granting of a warrant for arrestment to found jurisdiction shall be included in the condescendence.

S period of notice

Period of notice after citation S

7 (1) Subject to Rule 11(2)(a) and to paragraph (2) of this rule causes shall proceed after the following periods of notice have been given to the defender—

[F21 (a) 21 days where the defender is resident or has a place of business within Europe;]

[F22 (b)] 42 days when the defender is resident or has a place of business outside Europe.

(2) The sheriff may, on cause shown, shorten or extend the period of notice on such conditions as to the form or manner of service as the sheriff may direct, but in any case where the period of notice is reduced at least 2 days notice shall be given.

(3) Where a period of notice expires on a Saturday, Sunday, public or court holiday the period of notice shall be deemed to expire on the first following day on which the sheriff clerk’s office is open for civil court business.

Textual Amendments

F21 Rule 7(1)(a) substituted for rule 7(1)(a)(b) by S.I. 1988/1978 para. 6

F22 Sub-paragraph relettered as sub-paragraph (b) by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 6

S citation and service

Signature of warrants S

8 (1) Warrants for citation or for arrestment on the dependence may be signed by the sheriff or the sheriff clerk.

(2) Warrants containing an order shortening or extending the period of notice or any other order may only be signed by the sheriff.

(3) If for any reason the sheriff clerk refuses to sign a warrant, the writ may be presented to the sheriff for his consideration and signature if appropriate.

Form of citation and certificate S

9 [F23 Subject to rule 11:]—

(1) Citation [F24 in any ordinary cause other than an action of divorce or of separation [F25 or an action in which a time to pay direction under the M7 Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 may be applied for by the defender] . . . F26 ] shall be given as nearly as may be in accordance with Form C as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule which shall be prefixed to a copy of the initial writ and warrant of citation.

[F27 (2) In an action of divorce or of separation . . . F26 citation shall be given as nearly as may be in accordance with Form C1 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule which shall be prefixed to a copy of the initial writ and warrant of citation.]

[F28 (2A) In any ordinary cause in which a time to pay direction under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 may be applied for by the defender, citation shall be given as nearly as may be in accordance with Form C2 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule which shall be prefixed to a copy of the initial writ and warrant of citation.]

[F29 (3)] The certificate of citation shall be as nearly as may be in accordance with Form D as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule which shall be annexed to the initial writ.

[F29 (4)] When citation is by an officer of court, one witness shall be sufficient for the execution of citation.

[F29 (5)] The certificate of citation shall be signed by the officer and the witness [F30 and] shall specify whether the citation was personal, or, if otherwise, the mode of citation and the name of any person to whom the citation was delivered.

[F29 (6)] When citation is effected in terms of paragraph 2 of rule 10 the certificate shall also contain a statement of the mode of service previously attempted, the circumstances which prevented such service being effected and a statement that a copy was sent in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (3) of that rule.

Textual Amendments

F23 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(4)(a)

F24 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(4)(a)

F25 Words inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 7(1)

F26 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(4)(b)

F27 Rule 9(2) inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(4)(c)

F28 Rule 9(2A) inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 7(2)

F29 Paragraph renumbered by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(4)(b)

F30 Word inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(4)(c)

Marginal Citations

M7 1987 c.18(45:2).

Service within Scotland by officer of court S

10 (1) Any initial writ, decree, charge, warrant or other order or writ following upon such initial writ or decree may be served by an officer of court on any person:—

(a) personally, or

(b) by being left in the hands of an inmate of or employee at the person’s dwelling place or place of business.

(2) Where an officer of court has been unsuccessful in effecting service in accordance with either sub-paragraphs (a) or (b) of paragraph (1), he may, after making diligent enquiries, serve the document in question either—

(a) by depositing it in that person’s dwelling place or place of business by means of a letterbox or by other lawful means, or

(b) by affixing it to the door of that person’s dwelling place or place of business.

(3) If service is effected under paragraph (2) the officer shall as soon as possible after such service send by ordinary post to the address at which he thinks it most likely that the person may be found a letter containing a copy of the document.

Citation of persons whose address is unknown S

11 [F31 (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of rule 11A, where a defender’s address is unknown to the pursuer, the sheriff shall grant warrant to cite the defender—

(a) by the publication in a newspaper circulating in the area of the defender’s last known address of an advertisement as nearly as may be in accordance with Form E as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule: or

(b) by displaying on the walls of court a copy of the instance and crave of the initial writ, warrant of citation and notice as nearly as may be in accordance with Form E1 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule,

and the period of notice, which shall be fixed by the sheriff, shall run from the date of publication of the advertisement or display on the walls of court, as the case may be.

(2) Where citation requires to be effected under paragraph (1), the pursuer shall lodge a service copy of the initial writ and a copy of the warrant of citation with the sheriff clerk from whom they may be uplifted by the defender.]

(3) If a defender has been cited in accordance with paragraph (1), and after the cause has commenced his address becomes known, the sheriff may allow the initial writ to be amended subject to such condition as to re-service, intimation, expenses, or transfer of the cause as seems just.

(4) [F32 Where] advertisement in a newspaper is required for the purpose of citation under this rule, a copy of the newspaper containing said advertisement shall be lodged with the sheriff clerk.

[F33 (5) Where display on the walls of court is required under paragraph (1)(b), the pursuer shall supply to the sheriff clerk for that purpose a certified copy of the instance and crave of the initial writ and the warrant of citation.]

Textual Amendments

F31 Rule 11(1)(2) substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(5)(a)

F32 Word substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(5)(b)

F33 Rule 11(5) inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(5)(c)

[F35 Intimation to] persons in actions of divorce or of separation . . . F36 where defender is suffering from mental disorder or his whereabouts are unknown. S

[F34 11A —In an action of divorce or an action of separation . . . F36 , where the defender’s address is unknown or the defender is a person suffering from a mental disorder within the meaning of the M8 Mental Health (Scotland) Act [F37 1984], warrant for citation shall, subject to paragraph (2), include an order for intimation of the initial writ to—

(a) every child of the marriage between the parties who has reached the age of 12 years in the case of a girl and 14 years in the case of a boy;

(b) one of the defender’s next-of-kin who has reached the above age; and

(c) the curatorbonis to the defender, if any.

(2) Intimation to a person mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (1) shall not be required under that paragraph if—

(a) the address of that person is unknown to the pursuer; and

(b) there is an averment to that effect in the initial writ.

[F38 (3) Intimation to a person mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (1) shall be as nearly as may be in accordance with Form V1 (where the defender is suffering from mental disorder) or Form V2 (where the defender’s address is unknown) as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.]

(4) In any action to which this rule applies, where the defender suffers or appears to suffer from a mental disorder and is resident in a hospital or other similar institution, citation shall be executed by addressing the registered or recorded delivery letter to the medical officer in charge of that hospital or institution enclosing a certificate in accordance with Form V with a request set out in Form W that he either—

(a) deliver the copy of the initial writ with warrant thereon personally to the defender together with any notice sent therewith in accordance with the provisions of rule 131 and explain the contents to him; or

(b) certify that such delivery or explanation would be dangerous to the health or mental condition of the defender,

and complete the certificate accordingly and return it to the solicitor to the pursuer to be attached to the initial writ lodged for calling.

(5) Where the certificate returned under paragraph (4) bears that no delivery of the initial writ was made to the defender, it shall be competent for the sheriff at any stage in the proceedings before decree to order such further medical enquiry and such further service as he may think fit.

[F39 (6) A person receiving intimation under paragraph (1) may apply within the period of notice by minute craving to be sisted as a party and for leave to lodge defences or answers as the case may be.]]

Textual Amendments

F34 Rule 11A inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(6)

F35 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(6)(a)

F36 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(6)(b)

F37 “1984” substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(6)(c)

F38 Rule 11A(3) substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(6)(d)

F39 Rule 11A(6) inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(6)(e)

Marginal Citations

M8 1984 c.36(85).

Citation of or service on persons outwith Scotland S

[F40 12 (1) Subject to the following provisions of this rule, an initial writ or decree, or any other writ or order following upon such initial writ or decree or any charge or warrant, may be served outwith Scotland on any person—

(a) at a known residence or place of business in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or any country with which the United Kingdom does not have a convention providing for service of writs in that country—

(i) in accordance with the rules for personal service under the domestic law of the place in which service is to be effected; or

(ii) by posting in Scotland a copy of the document in question in a registered or recorded delivery letter or the nearest equivalent which the available postal services permit addressed to the person at his residence or place of business;

(b) in a country which is a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra-Judicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters dated 15 November 1965 or the European Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters as set out in Schedule 1 to the M9 Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982—

(i) by a method prescribed by the internal law of the country where service is to be effected for the service of documents in domestic actions upon persons who are within its territory;

(ii) by or through a central authority in the country where service is to be effected at the request of the Foreign Office;

(iii) by or through a British Consular authority at the request of the Foreign Office;

(iv) where the law of the country in which the person resides permits, by posting in Scotland a copy of the document in a registered or recorded delivery letter or the nearest equivalent which the available postal services permit addressed to the person at his residence; or

(v) where the law of the country in which service is to be effected permits, service by anhuissier, other judicial officer or competent official of the country where service is to be made;

(c) in a country with whom the United Kingdom has a convention on the service of writs in that country other than the conventions mentioned in sub-paragraph (b), by one of the methods approved in the relevant convention.

(2) Any document which requires to be posted in Scotland for the purposes of this rule shall be posted by a solicitor or an officer of court, and the forms for citation and certificate of citation in rule 9 shall apply to a postal citation under this rule as they apply to a citation under that rule.

(3) On the face of the envelope used for postal service under this rule, there shall be written or printed a notice in the same or similar terms as that required in the case of ordinary service under rule 15(3).

(4) Where service is effected by a method specified in paragraph (1)(b)(ii) or (iii), the pursuer shall—

(a) send a copy of the writ and warrant for service with citation attached, or other document, with a request for service to be effected by the method indicated in the request to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; and

(b) lodge in process a certificate of execution of service signed by the authority which has effected service.

(5) Where service is effected by the method specified in paragraph (1)(b)(v) the pursuer, his solicitor or the officer of court, shall—

(a) send to the official in the country in which service is to be effected a copy of the writ and warrant for service with citation attached, or other document, with a request for service to be affected by delivery to the defender or his residence; and

(b) the pursuer shall lodge in process a certificate of execution of service by the official who has effected service.

(6) Where service is effected in accordance with paragraph (1)(a)(i) or (1)(b) (i), the pursuer shall lodge a certificate by a person who is conversant with the law of the country concerned and who practices or has practised as an advocate or solicitor in that country or is a duly accredited representative of the Government of that country, stating that the form of service employed is in accordance with the law of the place where the service was effected. It shall not be necessary to lodge a certificate where service has taken place in another part of the United Kingdom, the Channel Isles or the Isle of Man.

(7) Every writ or document and every citation and notice on the face of the envelope referred to in paragraph (3) shall be accompanied by a translation in an official language of the country in which service is to be executed unless English is an official language of that country.

(8) A translation referred to in paragraph (7) shall be certified as a correct translation by the person making it and the certificate shall contain the full name, address and qualifications of the translator and be lodged along with the execution of citation or certificate of execution.]

Textual Amendments

F40 Rule 12 substituted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(3)

Marginal Citations

M9 1982 c.27(45:3).

Days of charge S

[F41 13 (1) The period for payment specified in any charge following on a decree for payment granted in an ordinary cause shall be 14 days if the person on whom it is served is within the United Kingdom and 28 days if he is outside the United Kingdom or his whereabouts are unknown.

(2) The period in respect of any other form of charge in respect of an ordinary cause decree shall be 14 days.]

Textual Amendments

F41 Rule 13 substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 8

Service of charge where defender’s address is unknown S

[F42 13A (1) Where a defender’s address is unknown to the pursuer, a charge shall be deemed to have been served on the defender if it is served on the sheriff clerk of the sheriff court district where the defender’s last known address is located and is displayed by the sheriff clerk on the walls of that court for the period of the charge.

(2) On receipt of such a charge the sheriff clerk shall display it on the walls of court.

(3) The period specified in the charge shall run from the first date on which it was displayed on the walls of court and it shall remain displayed for the period of charge.

(4) On the expiry of the period of charge the sheriff clerk shall endorse a certificate on the charge certifying that it has been displayed in accordance with this rule and shall thereafter return it to the officer of court by whom service was effected.]

Textual Amendments

F42 Rule 13A inserted (9.4.1990) by S.I. 1990/661, para. 2(2)

Persons carrying on business under a trading or descriptive name S

14 (1) Any person or persons carrying on a business under a trading or descriptive name, may sue or be sued in such trading or descriptive name alone, and any extract of a decree pronounced in the sheriff court, or of a decree proceeding upon any deed, decree arbitral, bond, protest of a bill, promissory note or banker’s note, or upon any other obligation or document on which execution may competently proceed, recorded in the sheriff court books against such person or persons, under such trading or descriptive name, shall be a valid warrant for diligence against such person or persons.

(2) Any initial writ or decree, or any other writ or order following upon such initial writ or decree or any charge or warrant issued in any cause to which this rule applies may be served at any place of business or office at which such business is carried on within the sheriffdom of the sheriff court in which the cause is brought or, in the event of there being no place of business within that sheriffdom, service may be effected at any place where such business is carried on (including the place of business or office of the clerk or secretary of any company, corporation or association or firm).

Postal citation S

15 (1) In any case in which it is competent to serve or intimate any document or to cite any person by recorded delivery, such service, intimation of citation, when made by recorded delivery, shall only be competent if it is made by recorded delivery first class service.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4(2) of the Citation Amendment (Scotland) Act M10 1882, in all cases of postal service the period of notice shall start to run on the day of posting.

(3) On the face of the envelope used for postal service under this rule there shall be written or printed the following notice or a notice to the like effect—

“This letter contains a citation to or intimation from (specify the Court). If delivery of the letter cannot be made at the address shown it is to be returned immediately to (give the official name and office or place of business of the Clerk of Court)”.

(4) The certificate of citation in the case of postal service shall have annexed to it any relevant postal receipts.

Marginal Citations

M10 1882 c.77(45:2).

Endorsation unnecessary S

16 Any initial writ or decree, or any other writ or order following upon such initial writ or decree or any charge or warrant may be served, enforced or otherwise lawfully executed anywhere in Scotland without endorsation by a sheriff clerk and, if executed by an officer, may be so executed by an officer of the court which granted it or by an officer of the sheriff court district within which it is to be executed.

Re-service S

17 If it appears to the sheriff that there has been any failure or irregularity in service upon a defender, the sheriff may authorise the pursuer to re-serve the initial writ upon such conditions as seem just.

Personal bar S

18 (1) A party who appears may not state any objection to the regularity of the service upon himself, and his appearance shall remedy any defect in the service.

(2) Nothing in this rule shall preclude a party from pleading that the court has no jurisdiction.

S transfer of causeS

Transfer to another Sheriff court S

19 (1)(a) Subject to paragraph (c), where a cause in which there are two or more defenders has been brought in the sheriff court of the residence or place of business of one of them, the sheriff may transfer the cause to any other sheriff court which has jurisdiction over any of the defenders.

(b) Subject to paragraph (c), where a plea of no jurisdiction is sustained the sheriff may transfer the cause to the sheriff court before which it appears to him it ought to have been brought.

(c) The sheriff shall not transfer a cause to another sheriff court under paragraphs (a) and (b) above except on the motion of one or more of the parties and unless he considers it expedient to do so having regard to the convenience of the parties and their witnesses;

(d) The sheriff may upon sufficient cause remit any cause to another sheriff court.

(2) On making an order under paragraph (1) transferring a cause to another sheriff court the sheriff—

(a) shall state his reasons for doing so in the interlocutor;

(b) may make the order subject to such conditions as to expenses or otherwise as he thinks fit.

(3) The sheriff court to which a cause is transferred under paragraph (1) shall accept the cause.

(4) A transferred cause shall proceed in all respects as if it had been originally brought in the court to which it is transferred.

(5) An interlocutor transferring a cause shall, with leave of the sheriff, be subject to review by the sheriff principal but shall not be further subject to review.

Remit of cause to the Court of Session S

20 (1) The sheriff clerk shall, within the period of four days after the sheriff has pronounced an interlocutor remitting a cause to the Court of Session, transmit the process to the deputy principal clerk of session.

(2) The sheriff clerk shall within that period send written notice of the remit to the party or parties and certify on the interlocutor sheet that he has done so, but failure to do so shall not affect the validity of the remit.

Remit of cause from the Court of Session S

[F43 20A (1) On receipt of the process in an action which has been remitted from the Court of Session, the sheriff clerk shall—

(a) record the date of such receipt on the interlocutor sheet;

(b) enrol the cause for further procedure on the first court day occurring not earlier than 14 days after the date of receipt of the process; and

(c) forthwith send written notice of the date of calling of the action to the parties.

(2) The action shall thereafter proceed on the existing process unless the sheriff otherwise directs.]

Textual Amendments

F43 Rule 20A inserted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(3)

S undefended causes

Minute for granting of decree without attendance S

21 [F44 (1)(a)] Subject to paragraph (2) [F45 of this rule and rule 21A], if the defender does not lodge a notice of intention to defend or a minute under rule 34 [F46 or an application for a time to pay direction under the M11 Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 or if the defender has lodged such application and the pursuer does not object thereto or to any recall or restriction of an arrestment sought therein.], the sheriff may on the pursuer endorsing a minute in that behalf on the initial writ at any time after the expiry of the period for lodging that notice or minute grant decree or other order in terms of the minute so endorsed without requiring the attendance of the pursuer in court [F47 : provided that the sheriff shall not grant decree in the cause unless it appearsex facie of the initial writ that a ground of jurisdiction exists under the M12 Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982].

[F48 (b) In the case of a defender domiciled in another part of the United Kingdom or in another Contracting State, the sheriff shall not grant decree in absence until it has been shown that the defender has been able to receive the initial writ in sufficient time to arrange for his defence or that all necessary steps have been taken to that end; and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph—

(i) the question as to whether a person is domiciled in another part of the United Kingdom shall be determined in accordance with sections 41 and 42 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982;

(ii) the question as to whether a person is domiciled in another Contracting State shall be determined in accordance with article 52 of Schedule 1 to that Act; and

(iii) the term “Contracting State” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1 of that Act.]

[F49 (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to actions—

(a) of divorce or of separation;

(b) relating to tutory, curatory, custody or access or any right or authority relating to the welfare or upbringing of a child conferred on a parent by any rule of law;

(c) for declarator of parentage, non-parentage, legitimacy, legitimation or illegitimacy.]

Textual Amendments

F44 “(a)” inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(4)(a)

F45 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(4)(b)

F46 Words inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 9

F47 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(4)(c)

F48 Rule 21(1)(b) inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(4)(d)

F49 Rule 21(2) substituted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(4)

Marginal Citations

M11 1987 c.18(45:2).

M12 1982 c.27(45:3).

Decree in causes to which the Hague Convention applies S

[F50 21A Where in any civil proceedings (including proceedings for divorce, separation and aliment and actions for custody of children), the initial writ has been served in a country to which the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra-Judicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters dated 15 November 1965 applies, decree shall not be granted until it is established to the satisfaction of the sheriff that the requirements of article 15 of that Convention have been complied with.]

Textual Amendments

F50 Rule 21A inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(5)

Applications for time to pay directions in undefended causes S

[F51 21B (1) This rule applies to ordinary causes in which a time to pay direction may be applied for under the M13 Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987.

(2) A defender in a cause which is otherwise undefended, who wishes to apply for a time to pay direction, and where appropriate, to have an arrestment recalled or restricted, may complete and lodge with the sheriff clerk the relevant part of form B5 before the expiry of the period of notice.

(3) Where the pursuer does not object to the defender’s application, he shall minute accordingly and for decree in accordance with rule 21; and the sheriff may grant decree or other order in terms of the application and minute.

(4) Where the pursuer objects to the defender’s application he shall minute accordingly and for decree in terms of rule 21; and the sheriff clerk shall thereafter enrol the cause for hearing of the defender’s application and intimate the hearing to the defender and pursuer.

(5) The sheriff shall consider the application on the date fixed for hearing or at any continuation thereof and may then or after further consideration grant or refuse it as may seem to him appropriate whether or not any of the parties appear and grant decree accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F51 Rules 21B, 21C inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 10

Marginal Citations

M13 1987 c.18(45:2).

Applications for time to pay directions in summary applications S

21C (1) This rule applies in summary applications in which a time to pay direction may be applied for under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987.

(2) A defender may apply for a time to pay direction and, where appropriate, for recall or restriction of an arrestment—

(a) by appearing and making the appropriate motion at the diet fixed;

(b) except where the period of notice has been shortened in accordance with rule 7(2), by completing and returning to the sheriff clerk at least 7 days before the diet fixed for hearing the appropriate portion of form B6; or

(c) by application to the court at any stage in the proceedings prior to final decree being granted.

Procedure in undefended actions . . . F52 [F53 relating to parental rights] S

22 (1) If no notice of intention to defend has been lodged in an action . . . F52 [F53 relating to tutory, curatory, custody or access or any right or authority relating to the welfare or upbringing of a child conferred on a parent by any rule of law] and the pursuer has returned the initial writ to the sheriff clerk the action shall be called in court.

. . . F54

[F55 (2)] [F53 In any such action] decree may be granted after such inquiry as the sheriff thinks necessary.

Textual Amendments

F52 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(8)

F53 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(5)

F54 Rule 22(2) repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(8)(c)

F55 Paragraph renumbered Rule 22(2) by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(8)(c)

[F57 Procedure where actions of divorce or separation or actions affecting parentage are undefended] S

[F56 23 (1) This rule—

(a) applies to all actions of divorce [F58 actions of separation and actions for declarator of parentage, non-parentage, legitimacy, legitimation or illegitimacy] . . . F59 in which no notice of intention to defend has been lodged;

(b) may apply to any [F58 such action] . . . F59 which proceeds at any stage as undefended if the court so directs;

(c) may apply to the merits of any such action as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) if the court so directs, notwithstanding that the action is defended on an ancillary matter.

(2) Proof in all such actions, unless in any particular action the sheriff otherwise directs, shall be by way of evidence submitted in the form of affidavits and such evidence shall not be treated as being insufficient for the purposes of proof by reason only that it is not supported by parole evidence.

(3) The sheriff may, at any time after the endorsation of the minute referred to in rule 72(5), without requiring the appearance of parties before him—

(a) grant decree in terms of the motion for decree; or

(b) remit the cause for such other procedure, including proof by parole evidence, as the sheriff may deem appropriate.

(4) The sheriff clerk shall, on the expiry of fourteen days after the granting of decree in terms of paragraph (3), issue to each party to the action an extract of the decree of divorce.]

Textual Amendments

F56 Rule 23 substituted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(9)

F57 Heading substituted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(6)(a)

F58 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(6)

F59 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(9)

Decree for expenses S

24 At the same time as granting a decree in absence or thereafter the sheriff may grant a decree for expenses.

Issue of extract decree S

25 (1) On the expiry of 14 days following the granting of a decree in absence the sheriff clerk may issue an extract of the decree.

(2) The sheriff may on cause shown order the extract to be issued at an earlier date.

Finality of decree in absence S

26 Subject to section 9(7) of the M14 Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974, a decree in absence which has not been recalled or brought under review by suspension or by reduction shall become final, and be entitled to all the privileges of a degreein foro—

(a) on the expiry of six months from its date or from the date of the charge under it, where the service of the initial writ or of the charge has been personal;

(b) in any event, on the expiry of 20 years from its date.

Marginal Citations

M14 1974 c.38(74:1).

Amendment of initial writ S

27 (1) In an undefended action the sheriff may—

(a) allow the pursuer to amend the initial writ in any way permitted by rule 64;

(b) order the amended initial writ to be re-served on the defender on such a period of notice as he thinks fit.

(2) The defender shall not be liable for the expense occasioned by any such amendment unless the sheriff otherwise directs.

(3) No such amendment shall have the effect of validating diligence used on the dependence of the action so as to prejudice creditors of the defender, but it shall have the effect of obviating objections to such diligence when stated by the defender himself or by any person representing him by a title, or in right of a debt contracted by him subsequent to the using of such diligence; and any diligence which was competent on the original initial writ shall be competent on the amended initial writ.

S reponinG

Defender may be reponed against decree in absence S

28 [F60 In any action other than an action of divorce or of separation . . . F61 ,] At any time before implement in full of a decree in absence, the defender may apply to be reponed by lodging with the sheriff clerk a note setting forth his proposed defence and his explanation of his failure to appear and by serving a copy of the note on the pursuer.

Textual Amendments

F60 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(10)

F61 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(10)

Consignation and recall of decree S

29 (1) On lodging a reponing note under rule 28, the defender shall consign the sum of £10 in the hands of the sheriff clerk.

(2) On consignation under paragraph (1) the sheriff, if satisfied with the defender’s explanation, may recall the decree so far as not implemented, and the cause shall thereafter proceed in all respects as if the defender had appeared.

Sist of diligence S

30 A reponing note, when duly lodged and served upon the pursuer shall have effect to sist diligence.

Consigned money and expenses S

31 On the disposal of the reponing note—

(a) the pursuer shall be entitled to uplift the consigned money unless the sheriff otherwise directs, and

(b) the sheriff may make such order as to expenses as seems just.

Judgment to be final S

32 Any interlocutor or order recalling, or incidental to the recall of a decree in absence, shall be final and not subject to review.

Defended Causes to ProoF S

S intention to defenD

Notice of intention to defend S

33 If a defender intends [F62 to challenge the jurisdiction of the court or] to state a defence he shall before the expiry of the appropriate period of notice exhibit to the sheriff clerk the service copy of the initial writ and lodge with him a notice of intention to defend as nearly as may be in terms of Form F as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule. [F62 The lodging of such notice of intention to defend shall not imply acceptance of the jurisdiction of the court.]

Textual Amendments

F62 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(6)

Minute relating to aliment, periodical allowance, capital payment or transfer of property S

[F63 34 (1) In an action of separation, affiliation and aliment or for custody of a child, a defender who intends only to dispute the amount of aliment may, in place of lodging a notice of intention to defend, lodge a minute to that effect condescending on the relevant facts.

(2) In action of divorce, a defender who intends only to dispute liability for, or the amount of, or raise other matters relating to, aliment, periodical allowance, capital payment or transfer of property may, in place of lodging a notice of intention to defend, lodge a minute condescending on the relevant facts.

(3) In an action of divorce or of separation, a defender may, without lodging a notice of intention to defend, apply to the court by minute craving an order for aliment, periodical allowance, capital payment or transfer of property and such minute shall crave the order which he claims the sheriff should make, and condescend on the relevant facts.

(4) On the lodging of a minute under paragraph (1), (2) or (3)—

(a) the sheriff clerk shall enrol the cause for a hearing, and the defender shall send a copy of the minute and intimate the date of the hearing to the pursuer; and

(b) the pursuer shall return the initial writ to the sheriff clerk at or before the hearing, but shall not, unless the sheriff otherwise directs, require to lodge a process.

(5) At the hearing, the sheriff may resolve the matter or continue the cause for such further procedure as he considers appropriate.

(6) In an action referred to in this rule, the sheriff may grant decree in terms of a joint minute dealing with aliment, periodical allowance, capital payment or transfer of property whether or not these have been craved in the initial writ or minute.]

Textual Amendments

F63 Rule 34 substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(11)

Tabling S

35 (1) Where a notice of intention to defend has been lodged, the sheriff clerk shall enrol the cause for tabling on the first court day occurring after the expiry of the appropriate period of notice.

(2) A cause which has not been tabled, and in which protestation has not been craved, shall drop from the roll, but within three months the sheriff may direct it to be again enrolled for tabling under such conditions as to notice, or re-service, or expenses, or otherwise as seem just.

(3) At tabling, the sheriff may, on the motion of either party, continue the cause without ordering defences to be lodged.

Protestation S

36 (1) On any occasion on which the cause is enrolled for tabling and not tabled, the defender or his agent, upon producing the service copy of the writ, may crave protestation for not insisting, which the sheriff may grant, and shall fix the amount of protestation money payable to the defender.

(2) Protestation shall not be extracted before the expiry of seven clear days from the date of its granting, except where arrestments have been used, in which case it may be extracted after the expiry of 48 hours from that date.

(3) Upon protestation being extracted, the instance shall fall.

(4) Before extract, protestation may be recalled, and the sheriff may allow the pursuer to proceed with the cause upon making payment to the defender of the amount of protestation money, and upon such other conditions as the sheriff thinks fit.

S The process

Lodging of process by pursuer S

37 In a cause in which a notice of intention to defend has been lodged, the pursuer shall at or before tabling lodge with the sheriff clerk the principal initial writ and a copy initial writ with warrant thereon certified by the pursuer, principal and duplicate interlocutor sheets, and principal and borrowing inventory of process, and the sheriff clerk shall endorse on all documents lodged in process the date of lodging.

Custody of process S

38 (1) The principal initial writ, the principal interlocutor sheets and borrowing inventory of process shall remain in the custody of the sheriff clerk.

(2) The sheriff may make a special order to the contrary in respect of the principal initial writ.

Borrowing of process S

39 (1) A process may be borrowed only by a solicitor or by his authorised clerk for whom he shall be responsible.

(2) All remedies competent to enforce the return of a borrowed process may proceed on the warrant of the court from whose custody the process was obtained, whether the borrower is or is not within its jurisdiction.

(3) A party litigant shall not borrow a process except by leave of the sheriff and subject to such conditions as the sheriff may impose but may inspect a process and obtain copies, where practicable, from the sheriff clerk.

(4) All numbers of process borrowed shall be returned to the sheriff clerk not later than two days before the date of the proof.

Failure to return process S

40 (1) When a solicitor or party litigant has borrowed a process, or any part of a process, and fails to return it for any diet at which it is required, the sheriff may impose upon such solicitor or party litigant a fine not exceeding £50, which shall be payable to the sheriff clerk; but an order imposing a fine may, on cause shown, be recalled by the sheriff who granted it.

(2) Orders made under this rule shall not be subject to appeal.

Replacement of lost documents S

41 When any part of process is lost or destroyed, a copy thereof, authenticated in such manner as the sheriff may require, may be substituted and shall, for the purposes of the action to which the process relates, be treated as having the same force and effect as the original.

Borrowing of certified copy initial writ for purposes of arrestment and issue of precepts of arrestment S

42 (1) The certified copy initial writ with warrant thereon may be borrowed by any party to the action and shall be sufficient warrant to arrest on the dependence if it is otherwise competent to do so.

(2) Separate precepts of arrestment may be issued by the sheriff clerk on production to him of an initial writ, containing claims for payment of money, on which a warrant of citation has been granted, or of a liquid document of debt.

S defences and adjustmenT

Defences S

43 (1) Where defences have not been lodged at tabling, the sheriff, in the interlocutor pronounced at tabling or otherwise, shall appoint a period within which defences shall be lodged.

(2) On lodging defences the defender shall send a copy to the pursuer.

Form of defences S

44 Defences shall be in the form of answers in paragraphs corresponding to the paragraphs of the condescendence, and shall have appended a note of the defender’s pleas-in-law.

Implied admissions S

45 Every statement of fact made by one party shall be answered by the other party, and if a statement made by one party of a fact within the knowledge of the other party is not denied by that other party, the latter shall be held as admitting the fact so stated.

Adjustment of pleadings S

46 Subject to the provisions of rules 47 and 48 all adjustments of the pleadings shall be made by parties only on the certified copy of the initial writ, the defences or answers, as the case may be, and shall be immediately intimated in writing to all other parties.

Open record S

47 (1) The sheriff may at any time before the closing of the record, on the application of a party to the action orex proprio motu, order the pursuer to lodge in process a record of the pleadings as adjusted to the date of the order and to intimate a copy to all other parties.

(2) Any adjustments made after that date shall be made on that record and intimated to all other parties.

Alteration of sum sued for S

48 (1) In a cause in which all other parties have lodged defences or answers the pursuer may, prior to the closing of the record and without leave of the sheriff, alter any sum sued for by amending the crave of the initial writ, the certified copy of the initial writ and any record.

(2) The pursuer shall immediately intimate any such amendment in writing to all other parties.

Adjustment period S

49 (1) In the interlocutor pronounced at tabling or otherwise the sheriff shall appoint the date on which the cause shall appear on the adjustment roll.

(2) No continuation of the adjustment after the first shall be allowed except on cause shown.

(3) Cause shall not be shown under paragraph (2) by reason only that parties agree to a continuation.

(4) In considering whether cause has been shown under paragraph (2) the sheriff shall take into account any additional time which may have been available for adjustment owing to a court vacation occurring (in whole or in part) after the lodging of defences.

S third party procedure

Third party notice S

50 (1) Where in any cause, a defender claims that he has any right of contribution, relief, or indemnity against any person who is not already a party to the cause, or that a person whom the pursuer is not bound to call as a defender should be made a party to the cause along with the defender in respect that such person is either solely liable or jointly and severally liable with the defender to the pursuer in respect of the subject matter of the cause, the defender may set forth in his defences or in a separate statement of facts the grounds upon which he maintains that any such person (hereinafter called a third party) is liable to him by way of contribution, relief, or indemnity, or should be made a party to the cause and the defences or statement of facts shall also contain appropriate pleas-in-law directed against such third party.

(2) Thereafter the defender may lodge a motion for the purpose of obtaining an order for the service of a third party notice upon such third party upon such period of notice as is referred to in rule 7, and if the motion is granted, the third party shall be a party to the cause and may lodge answers on or before a date appointed by the sheriff for the regulation of further procedure.

(3) Averments directed against a third party shall be made prior to the closing of the record, or, at the discretion of the sheriff and subject to such conditions as to the sheriff seem just, at a later stage, but in no event later than the commencement of the hearing of the cause on its merits.

(4) A third party notice shall be as nearly as may be in terms of Form G as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule and the answers by a third party shall be headed “Answers for E.F. Third Party in the action at the instance of A.B. Pursuer against C.D. Defender”; and the following provisions of this rule shall apply to the procedure under the notice.

(5) A third party notice shall be served on the third party in any manner and on such period of notice in which an initial writ may competently be served on a defender and shall be accompanied by a copy of the initial writ and defences, or the record, if any.

(6) A copy of the third party notice with a certificate of execution thereon shall be lodged in process.

(7) The order granting leave to serve a third party notice may contain a warrant for arrestment to found jurisdiction, or for arrestment on the dependence.

(8) Averments to justify the granting of a warrant for arrestment to found jurisdiction shall be included in the defences or the separate statement of facts referred to in paragraph (1) of this rule.

(9) On the date appointed by the sheriff for the regulation of further procedure or at any time thereafter the sheriff may grant such decree, interlocutor or order as seems just.

(10) Any decree, interlocutor, or order against the third party shall take effect and be extractable in the same way as a decree, interlocutor or order against the defender.

(11) This rule also applies to a claim—

(a) by a third party; or

(b) by a pursuer in respect of a counter-claim by a defender, as it applies to a claim by a defender.

Valid from 04/05/1992

S [F64 party minuter procedurE]

Textual Amendments

F64 Sch. 1 rule 50A and heading inserted (4.5.1992) by S.I. 1992/249, para. 2(6)

F65 Party minuter S

50A (1) Any person who has not been called as a defender or third party may apply by minute to the sheriff for leave to enter a process as a party minuter and to lodge defences.

(2) An application under this rule shall specify—

(a) the applicant’s title and interest to enter the process; and

(b) the grounds of the defence which he proposes to state.

(3) On the lodging of a minute under this rule, the sheriff shall appoint a date for hearing the minute; and the applicant shall forthwith serve a copy of the minute and of the order for a hearing on the parties to the cause.

(4) After hearing the applicant and any party to the cause, the sheriff may, if he is satisfied that the applicant has shown title and interest to enter the process, grant the applicant leave to enter the process as a party minuter and to lodge defences and may make such order as to expenses or otherwise as he considers appropriate.

(5) Where an application under this rule is made after the closing of the record, the sheriff—

(a) shall only grant leave under paragraph (4) if he is satisfied as to the reason why earlier application was not made; and

(b) may make such further order as to expenses or otherwise as he considers appropriate.

Textual Amendments

F65 Sch. 1 rule 50A inserted (4. 5. 1992) by S.I. 1992/249, para. 2(6)

S counter-claim procedure

Counter-Claim S

51 The defender may make a counter-claim against the pursuer by lodging in process a separate document headed “Counter-claim for the Defender” a copy of which shall be sent to the pursuer.

Form of counter-claim S

52 The counter-claim shall contain a crave or craves in a form which if the counter-claim had been enforced by way of a separate cause would have been appropriate in that cause; it shall also contain a statement of facts setting out in numbered paragraphs the facts on which the counter-claim is founded and shall have appended a note of the pleas-in-law which are necessary to support the counter-claim.

Warrants of counter-claim S

53 (1) The defender may apply for warrant to use any form of diligence by way of arrestment which could be used on the dependence of a separate cause brought to enforce the matter of the counter-claim.

(2) Such application shall be made by appending to the crave of the counter-claim the words “warrant for arrestment on the dependence applied for”, and shall be granted by the sheriff clerk who receives the counter-claim adding the words “Grants warrant as craved”, and adhibiting his signature together with the date below those words.

(3) Any such warrant shall have the like effect as it would have in an initial writ.

Disposal of counter-claim S

54 The sheriff may—

(a) deal with the counter-claim as if it had been stated in a substantive cause;

(b) regulate procedure as he thinks fit; and

(c) grant decree for the counter-claim in whole or in part, or for the difference between it and the sum claimed.

Abandonment where counter-claim S

55 (1) A pursuer shall not be prevented from abandoning a cause by reason only of a counter-claim by the defender.

(2) The abandoning of any cause by the pursuer shall not effect a counter-claim made in respect of that cause; and the counter-claim shall continue as a separate cause.

(3) Any expenses payable by the pursuer as a condition of, or in consequence of abandoning the cause shall not include the expenses of the counter-claim.

(4) A defender who has counter-claimed may abandon his counter-claim by lodging in process a minute to that effect, and thereafter the sheriff may, on payment by the defender of the expenses incurred by the pursuer in connection with the counter-claim, dismiss the counter-claim.

(5) If the defender fails, within 14 days of the date of taxation, to pay those expenses, the pursuer shall be entitled to decree of absolvitor with expenses in the counter-claim.

Counter-claim . . . F66 for custody, access or maintenance S

56 [F67 (1)] In any cause in which custody of, access to, or maintenance for, a child is sought [F68 or could competently be sought] the defender may make [F69 any claim relating to such matters of a kind] which a pursuer may make in such a cause; and rules 51 to 55 shall apply to any such claim as they apply to a counter-claim.

[F70 (2) Where a defender makes a counter-claim under paragraph (1), he may, where it would otherwise be competent, incorporate a crave for an order for aliment, periodical allowance, capital payment or transfer of property rather than proceed by way of separate minute under rule 34.

(3) In a cause referred to in this rule, the sheriff may grant decree in terms of a joint minute dealing with custody of, access to, or maintenance for, a child, aliment, periodical allowance, capital payment or transfer of property whether or not those have been craved in the initial writ or counter-claim.]

Textual Amendments

F66 Words repealed by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(12)(a)

F67 “—(1)” inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(12)(a)

F68 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(12)(b)

F69 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(12)(b)

F70 Rule 56(2)(3) inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(12)(c)

S incidental procedurE

Motions S

57 Any motion endorsed as unopposed may be granted by the sheriff in chambers without hearing the parties.

Applications for time to pay directions and for recall or restriction of arrestments in defended causes S

[F71 57A In any undefended cause in which it is competent to do so, the sheriff may, on a motion by the defender at any time before decree is granted, grant a time to pay direction and, where appropriate, an order recalling or restricting an arrestment.]

Textual Amendments

F71 Rule 57A inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 11

Abandonment of cause S

58 (1) A pursuer may at any stage of a cause before an interlocutor granting absolvitor or dismissing the cause has been pronounced offer to abandon the cause by lodging in process a minute to that effect and thereafter the sheriff may, on payment to the defender of his expenses, dismiss the cause.

(2) If the pursuer fails, within 14 days of the date of taxation, to pay the defender’s expenses, the defender shall be entitled to decree of absolvitor, with expenses.

Decree by default S

59 [F72 (1) In a defended cause other than an action of divorce or of separation . . . F73 if any production or step of process has not been lodged or an order has not been implemented within the time required by any enactment or order of the sheriff, or if one party fails to appear or be represented at a diet, the sheriff may grant decree as craved or decree ofabsolvitor, or may dismiss the cause, with expenses,]

(2) If none of the parties appears the sheriff may dismiss the cause.

[F74 (3) In any action the sheriff may, on cause shown, prorogate the time for lodging any production or step of process or for implementing any order.]

Textual Amendments

F72 Rule 59(1) substituted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(13)(a)

F73 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(13)

F74 Rule 59(3) inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(13)(b)

Late appearance by defender in actions of divorce and of separation S

[F75 59A (1) The sheriff may make an order, with or without conditions, allowing a defender in an action of divorce or of separation who has not lodged a notice of intention to defend or defences—

(a) to appear and be heard at a diet of proof;

(b) to lodge defences and to lead evidence at any time before decree of divorce or of separation has been pronounced; or

(c) to appeal within 14 days of the decree of divorce or of separation.

(2) Where an order is made under paragraph (1)(a), a defender may not lead evidence without the consent of the pursuer.

(3) Where an order is made under paragraph (1)(b), the pursuer may lead further evidence, by recalling witnesses already examined or otherwise, whether or not he closed his proof before the order was made.]

Textual Amendments

F75 Rule 59A inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(14) and substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(14)

Transfer of cause on death of party S

60 (1) Where any depending cause cannot proceed owing to the death of any party and that party’s representatives do not sist themselves in his place, any other party may lodge a minute craving transfer of the cause against those representatives.

(2) The sheriff may on the lodging of any such minute, grant warrant for serving a copy of the initial writ upon those representatives, and if he does so, shall at the same time allow them to lodge a minute of objections to such transference within such time as may be specified in the interlocutor, and shall order intimation of his interlocutor to be made to any other parties to the cause.

(3) The sheriff may, after considering any objections to the minute, pronounce an interlocutor transferring the cause against their representatives.

Effect of absence of interlocutors S

61 A cause shall not be held to have fallen asleep by reason only that no interlocutor has been pronounced therein within a year and a day of the date of the last interlocutor.

S incidental procedurE

Motions S

57 Any motion endorsed as unopposed may be granted by the sheriff in chambers without hearing the parties.

Applications for time to pay directions and for recall or restriction of arrestments in defended causes S

[F71 57A In any undefended cause in which it is competent to do so, the sheriff may, on a motion by the defender at any time before decree is granted, grant a time to pay direction and, where appropriate, an order recalling or restricting an arrestment.]

Textual Amendments

F71 Rule 57A inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 11

Abandonment of cause S

58 (1) A pursuer may at any stage of a cause before an interlocutor granting absolvitor or dismissing the cause has been pronounced offer to abandon the cause by lodging in process a minute to that effect and thereafter the sheriff may, on payment to the defender of his expenses, dismiss the cause.

(2) If the pursuer fails, within 14 days of the date of taxation, to pay the defender’s expenses, the defender shall be entitled to decree of absolvitor, with expenses.

Decree by default S

59 [F72 (1) In a defended cause other than an action of divorce or of separation . . . F73 if any production or step of process has not been lodged or an order has not been implemented within the time required by any enactment or order of the sheriff, or if one party fails to appear or be represented at a diet, the sheriff may grant decree as craved or decree ofabsolvitor, or may dismiss the cause, with expenses,]

(2) If none of the parties appears the sheriff may dismiss the cause.

[F74 (3) In any action the sheriff may, on cause shown, prorogate the time for lodging any production or step of process or for implementing any order.]

Textual Amendments

F72 Rule 59(1) substituted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(13)(a)

F73 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(13)

F74 Rule 59(3) inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(13)(b)

Transfer of cause on death of party S

60 (1) Where any depending cause cannot proceed owing to the death of any party and that party’s representatives do not sist themselves in his place, any other party may lodge a minute craving transfer of the cause against those representatives.

(2) The sheriff may on the lodging of any such minute, grant warrant for serving a copy of the initial writ upon those representatives, and if he does so, shall at the same time allow them to lodge a minute of objections to such transference within such time as may be specified in the interlocutor, and shall order intimation of his interlocutor to be made to any other parties to the cause.

(3) The sheriff may, after considering any objections to the minute, pronounce an interlocutor transferring the cause against their representatives.

Effect of absence of interlocutors S

61 A cause shall not be held to have fallen asleep by reason only that no interlocutor has been pronounced therein within a year and a day of the date of the last interlocutor.

S closing of record to prooF

Closing of the record S

62 (1) When the pleadings have been adjusted the sheriff shall close the record and make such further order as he thinks fit.

(2) Not later than 14 days after the closing of the record the pursuer shall lodge in process a certified copy of the closed record.

Preliminary Pleas S

63 (1) At the time of the closing of the record the parties shall state the preliminary pleas, if any, on which they insist and the sheriff shall fix a date for a debate on any such plea that is insisted in except where, upon a motion by the parties to reserve their pleas, he allows a proof before answer.

(2) The sheriff shall repel any such plea that is not insisted in.

Amendment of pleadings: powers of the sheriff S

64 (1) In any defended cause the sheriff may at any time before final judgment—

(a) allow any amendment of the initial writ or other writ which may be necessary for the purpose of determining in the existing cause the real question in controversy between the parties, notwithstanding that in consequence of such amendment a different remedy from the originally craved is thereby sought, or, after the closing of the record, that the sum sued for is increased or restricted;

(b) allow any amendment which may be necessary to correct or supplement the designation of any party to the cause, or to enable any party who has sued or has been sued in his own right to sue or be sued in a representative capacity, or to enable any party who has sued or who has been sued in a representative capacity to sue or be sued in his own right or in a different representative capacity, or to add the name of an additional pursuer or of a person whose concurrence is necessary, or where the cause has been commenced in the name of the wrong person as pursuer or where it is doubtful whether it has been commenced in the name of the right person, to allow any other person to be sisted as pursuer in substitution for, or in addition to, the original pursuer;

(c) in any case in which it appears that all parties having an interest have not been called, or that the cause has been directed against the wrong person, allow any amendment inserting in the initial writ or writ an additional or substitute defender and containing averments directed against said defender and to order the record as so amended to be served on such additional or substitute defender along with a notice in terms of Form H as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule specifying the date by which defences or answers must be lodged [F76 ; provided that in any case in which a time to pay direction under the Debtors (Scotland) Act M15 1987 may be applied for by the defender a notice in terms of form HH as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule together with form B5 shall be served on such additional or substitute defender in place of Form H]; and thereafter a copy of the said notice shall be lodged in process with a certificate of execution thereon and the cause as so amended shall proceed in every respect as if such defender had originally been made a party to the cause;

(d) allow any amendment of the condescendence, defences, answer or pleas-in-law which may be necessary for determining in the existing cause the real question in controversy between the parties.

(2) In allowing an amendment under paragraph (1), the sheriff may attach such conditions as seem just, and shall find the party making the amendment liable in the expenses thereby occasioned unless it is just and equitable that the expenses occasioned by the amendment should be otherwise dealt with.

(3) No amendment allowed under paragraph (1) shall prejudice the rights of creditors of the defender by giving validity to diligence used on the dependence of the cause; but no objections to such diligence shall have effect when stated by the defender himself or by any person representing him by a title, or in right of a debt contracted by him, subsequent to the execution of such diligence.

Textual Amendments

F76 Words inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 12

Marginal Citations

M15 1987 c.18(45:2).

Renouncing of probation S

65 If at any time on or after closing the record the parties wish to renounce probation they may do so by lodging with the sheriff clerk a joint minute to that effect with or without a statement of admitted facts and productions, and on the lodging of the joint minute the sheriff may order the cause to be debated.

Ordering of proof S

66 If proof is necessary, the sheriff shall fix a date for taking the proof, and may limit the mode of proof.

Reference to oath S

67 (1) Where any party desires to refer any matter to his opponent’s oath he shall lodge with the sheriff clerk a minute to that effect.

(2) If the party to whose oath reference has been made fails to appear at the diet for taking his deposition the sheriff may hold him as confessed and grant decree accordingly.

Objection to documents S

68 (1) When a deed or writing is founded on by any party in a cause, all objections to the deed or writing may be stated and maintained by way of exception, without reducing it.

(2) The sheriff may, where an objection is stated under paragraph (1) and where an action of reduction would be competent, order the objector to find caution, or to make consignation as he shall direct.

Remit to person of skill S

69 (1) Where all compearing parties to the cause concur the sheriff may remit to any person of skill or other person to report on any matter of fact and the report of such person shall be final and conclusive with respect to the matter of the remit.

(2) Before the sheriff so remits, the parties shall lodge in process a joint minute setting out the matters which are to be the subject of the remit.

(3) The expense of the execution of the remit shall in the first instance be paid by the parties equally unless the sheriff otherwise directs.

(4) In undefended causes the sheriff may on the motion of the pursuer remit to a man of skill or other person.

ProoF S

S evidence

Evidence to liein retentis S

70 Evidence in danger of being lost may be taken to liein retentis and, if satisfied that it is desirable so to do, the sheriff may, upon the motion of any party at any time, either take such evidence himself, or grant authority to a commissioner to take it.

Evidence taken on commission S

71 The evidence of any witness or haver resident beyond the jurisdiction of the court, or who although resident within the jurisdiction resides at some place remote from the court, or who is by reason of illness, age or infirmity, or other sufficient cause, unable to attend the diet of proof may be taken by commission in like manner as evidence to liein retentis.

Affidavit evidence S

72 [F77 (1) The provisions of this rule—

(a) apply to all parts of actions of [F78 divorce, of separation and of declarator of parentage, non-parentage, legitimacy, legitimation or illegitimacy] which proceed as undefended and to opposed interim orders under the M16 Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981;

(b) do not apply to any action of [F78 divorce, of separation or of declarator of parentage, non-parentage, legitimacy, legitimation or illegitimacy] where it appears to the sheriff that [F79 a] defender is a person who is suffering from a mental disorder within the meaning of the M17 Mental Health (Scotland) Act [F80 1984] except where the curatorad litem for the defender has lodged a minute intimating that he does not intend to defend the action.]

(2) Evidence submitted in the form of affidavits shall, subject to the provisions of this rule, be admissible in place of parole evidence.

(3) For the purpose of this rule—

(a) “affidavit” includes affirmation and statutory or other declaration;

(b) an affidavit shall be treated as admissible if it is duly emitted before a notary public or any other competent authority.

(4) Evidence submitted in the form of a written statement bearing to be that of a duly qualified medical practitioner, which has been signed by him and lodged in process, shall be admissible in place of parole evidence.

(5) Where it is intended to submit evidence only by means of affidavits the sheriff, at any time after the expiry of the period within which a notice of intention to defend or a minute under rule 34 must be lodged, the pursuer having lodged the necessary evidence on affidavit and having endorsed a minute [F81 in accordance with Form X] on the initial writ, may grant decree or other order in terms of that minute, without requiring the attendance of the pursuer in court.

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F82

Textual Amendments

F77 Rule 72(1) substituted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(15)(a)

F78 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(15)(a) and S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(7)

F79 Word substituted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(7)(b)(ii)

F80 “1984” substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(15)(b)

F81 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(15)(b)

F82 Rule 72(6) repealed by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(15)(c)

Marginal Citations

M16 1981 c.59(49:6).

M17 1984 c.36(85).

Conditions for receiving written statements in evidence without being spoken to by a witness S

[F83 72A (1) Any written statement (including an affidavit) or report, admissible under section 2(1)(b) of the M18 Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 may be received in evidence in any ordinary cause without being spoken to by a witness subject to the provisions of this rule.

(2) The following provisions of this rule do not apply to any such written statement or report in respect of which express provision is made in these rules for its admissibility in evidence in relation to a particular category of ordinary cause.

(3) Application to the sheriff to receive any such written statement or report in evidence without being spoken to by a witness shall be made by way of motion.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), on enrolling any such motion, the applicant shall lodge—

(a) the written statement or report as a production;

(b) in any case where the other party or parties have not agreed to the written statement or report in question being received in evidence without being spoken to by a witness, an affidavit or affidavits in support of the motion stating—

(i) the name, designation, and qualifications (if any) of the author of the statement or report in question;

(ii) the circumstances in which it was written; and

(iii) the reasons for the application.

(5) Paragraph (4) does not apply to an application made in respect of a written statement or report in the form of an affidavit which includes the information specified in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (4).

(6) On the hearing of any such motion, the sheriff may grant the motion, with or without conditions, or may refuse it, or may continue the motion to enable such further information to be obtained as he may require for the purpose of determining the application.

(7) For the purpose of this rule—

(a) expressions used in this rule and in the M19 Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 shall have the meaning they have in that Act;

(b) “affidavit” includes affirmation and statutory or other declaration;

(c) an affidavit shall be treated as admissible if it is duly emitted before a notary public or any other competent authority.]

Textual Amendments

F83 Rule 72A inserted by S.I. 1989/436, para. 2

Marginal Citations

M18 1988 c.32(47).

M19 1988 c.32 (47).

Recording of evidence S

73 (1) In every defended cause the evidence shall be recorded by a shorthand writer, approved by the sheriff, unless the parties shall by agreement and with the consent of the sheriff dispense with the recording of such evidence. The responsibility for instructing a shorthand writer for a proof shall lie with the pursuer.

(2) Evidence adduced before a commissioner may be recorded by a shorthand writer or clerk approved by the commissioner. The responsibility for instructing a shorthand writer shall lie with the party moving for the commission.

(3) Where evidence is recorded by a shorthand writer or clerk the sheriff or commissioner shall administer the oathde fideli administratione to the shorthand writer or clerk who shall record the evidence by question and answer. The extended notes of evidence certified by such shorthand writer shall be the notes of the oral evidence in the case.

(4) It shall be unnecessary to record evidence in an undefended proof.

(5) If the correctness of the notes of evidence or of a deposition is questioned, the sheriff may satisfy himself in regard thereto by the examination of witnesses or otherwise, and may amend the record of evidence or a deposition.

(6) When a shorthand writer is so employed to record evidence, he shall in the first instance be paid, as regards commissions by the party moving for the commission, and as regards proofs by the parties equally. The solicitors of parties shall be personally liable for the shorthand writer’s fees and the sheriff may make an order directing payment to be made.

S Witnesses and havers

Citation S

74 (1) A copy of an interlocutor certified by the sheriff clerk allowing a proof or fixing a diet for the trial of any cause or for the examination of witnesses or havers shall be sufficient warrant for citation of witnesses or havers.

(2) If any witness or haver duly cited on a period of notice of at least 7 days and after having been paid his travelling expenses if the same shall have been demanded, fails to attend a diet, either before the sheriff or before his commissioner, such witness or haver may be ordained by the sheriff to forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding £250, unless a reasonable excuse be offered and sustained, and the sheriff may grant decree for said penalty in favour of the party on whose behalf said witness or haver was cited.

Form of citation S

75 (1) Witnesses and havers may be cited as nearly as may be in terms of Form I as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule and the certificate of citation shall be as nearly as may be in terms of Form J as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(2) A solicitor who cites a witness or haver shall be personally liable for his fees and expenses.

(3) In the event of a solicitor who has cited a witness or haver intimating to him that his citation is cancelled, the solicitor shall advise him that said cancellation is not to affect any other citation which he may have received from another party in that cause.

Second diligence against witness S

76 (1) The sheriff may grant second diligence to compel the attendance of a witness or haver under pain of arrest and imprisonment until caution can be found as the sheriff may require for his due attendance.

(2) The warrant for a second diligence shall be effective in any sheriffdom without endorsation and the expenses thereof may be decerned for against the witness or haver.

Warrant to arrest S

77 Where any witness or haver fails to answer a citation after having been duly cited the sheriff may, upon production of a relevant certificate of citation, grant warrant for the apprehension of the witness or haver and for bringing him to the court, and the expenses thereof may be decerned for against the witness or haver.

S productions

Production and recovery of documents S

78 (1) Each party shall, along with his pleadings, or at latest before the closing of the record, if required by any other party in the cause or by the sheriff, lodge any documents founded upon in the pleadings, so far as the same are within his custody or power.

(2) Where such documents are not produced by any party to the cause or are in the hands of third parties, the sheriff may, on the motion of any party, grant commission and diligence for their recovery and may on that account delay closing the record.

(3) At any time after tabling, the sheriff, on the motion of either party, may grant commission and diligence for the recovery of such documents contained in a specification as he shall deem relevant to the cause.

Lodging productions for proofs S

79 In all causes in which a proof has been allowed, all documents, plans, maps, models and other productions which are intended to be used or put in evidence at the proof, shall be lodged along with an inventory with the sheriff clerk on or before the fourteenth day prior to the day appointed for the proof, and notice of the lodging thereof shall at the same time be sent to the other party or parties; and no other production shall be used or put in evidence at the proof unless by consent of parties or by permission of the sheriff presiding thereat, on cause shown to his satisfaction, and on such terms as to expenses or otherwise as seems just.

Ordering of production of documents by sheriff S

80 The sheriff may order production of documents at any state of the cause, and the sheriff may allow a party, at any time before judgment, to produce any document which he has failed to produce timeously, on such conditions as to payment of expenses and allowing further proof as to the sheriff shall seem just.

Optional procedure before executing commission and diligence S

81 (1) Any party who has obtained a commission and diligence for the recovery of documents may, at any time, before executing the same against another party or other parties to the cause, or against any haver, serve upon such party, or parties, or haver, an order with certificate attached in terms of Form K as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(2) Such order shall be served by registered or recorded delivery letter, and may be addressed to the care of the known solicitor or solicitors for the party or parties, or for the haver, from whom the documents are sought to be recovered.

(3) Such order shall be obtempered by such party, or parties, or by such haver, in the manner and within the time specified therein.

(4) When the order, certificate in terms thereof and inventoried documents (if any) are received by the sheriff clerk, official intimation shall be given by him forthwith to the solicitor or solicitors of the party or parties to the cause that the order has been served and obtempered; and it shall not be competent for any party, other than the party who served the order, to borrow any of the documents until after the expiry of 7 days from the date of such official intimation.

(5) If the party who served the order is not satisfied that full production has been made under the specification, or that adequate reasons for non-production have been given, he may execute the commission and diligence in normal form, notwithstanding his adoption in the first instance of the foregoing procedure by order.

(6) In the event of the production under such order as aforesaid of extracts from books whether such extracts are certified or not, the sheriff may, on cause shown, order that the party who served the order shall be at liberty to inspect and take copies of any entries in any books falling under the specification, subject, in the event of any question of confidentiality arising, to the inspection being made, and the copies being taken, at the sight of the commissioner appointed in the interlocutor granting the commission and diligence; and the sheriff may, on cause shown, order the production of any books (not being bankers’ books or books of public record) falling under a specification, notwithstanding the production of certified extracts therefrom.

Confidentiality S

82 In any cause in which, either under the optional procedure provided in rule 81 or in the execution of a commission and diligence in normal form, confidentiality is claimed for any of the documents produced, such documents shall be enclosed in a separate sealed packet, which shall not be opened or put in process except by authority of the sheriff obtained on the application of the party serving the order, or executing the commission and diligence, after opportunity has been given to the party, parties or haver, making production, to be heard.

Warrant for production of original documents from public records S

83 (1) Where any party to a cause desires to obtain from the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland or the Keeper of the Records of Scotland production of the originals of any register or deed under his custody, he shall apply by motion to the sheriff before whom the cause depends, after 7 days’ notice of such application given in writing to the Keeper in charge of the originals.

(2) Upon such application the sheriff may by interlocutor, certify that it is necessary for the ends of justice that the application should be granted, and the party may make application by letter (enclosing a copy of the interlocutor duly certified by the sheriff clerk or one of his deputes) addressed to the principal clerk of session, for an order from the Lords of Council and Session authorising the Keeper to exhibit the original of any register or deeds to the sheriff, and that in the hands of an officer to be selected by the said Keeper.

(3) The principal clerk of session shall submit the same to a Lord Ordinary in Chambers, who, if satisfied, shall grant a warrant on behalf of the Lords of Council and Session. A certified copy of said warrant shall be served upon the Keeper.

(4) The expense attending the transmission and exhibition of such original registers or deeds shall be defrayed in the first instance by the party or parties on whose application they are exhibited.

Orders for inspection S

84 (1) Any application to the sheriff for an order for the inspection, photographing, preservation, custody or detention of documents or other property (including, where appropriate, land) or for the production, recovery or the taking of samples thereof or the carrying out of any experiment thereon or therewith made in any civil proceedings which have been commenced before that sheriff shall be made by minute craving that the sheriff should grant such an order and specifying the order sought.

(2) Upon such minute being lodged, the sheriff shall forthwith appoint—

(a) the application to be heard at a diet to be fixed by him, and

(b) appoint intimation to other parties to the proceedings and to such other persons as appear to him to have an interest relevant to the application.

(3) After hearing parties, the sheriff may either grant or refuse the order sought, in whole or in part, or as amended, and may order the applicant to find such caution for any loss, damage or expenses which may be incurred as a result of the application as to the sheriff seems just.

(4) Any application to the sheriff for such an order as is referred to in paragraph (1), made where proceedings have not been commenced, by any person who appears to the sheriff to be likely to be a party to or minuter in proceedings which are likely to be brought, shall be made by initial writ served upon all persons who are likely to be parties to such proceedings when commenced; and such application shall be and shall be dealt with as a summary application, provided that the sheriff may make an order for such intimation to such other persons as appear to him to have an interest relevant to the application, and may order the applicant to find such caution for any loss, damage or expense which may be incurred as a result of the application as to the sheriff seems just.

(5) Any party who has obtained an order under this rule shall serve by registered or recorded delivery letter a certified copy of the interlocutor granting such order upon—

(a) (i) in the case of an order made under paragraph (3), any other party or parties to the cause;

(ii) in the case of an order made under paragraph (4), any person upon whom service has been made; and

(b) such other persons to whom the sheriff has appointed intimation of the application to be made;

but it shall not be necessary to serve such certified copy on any person who was present or represented when the application was heard; and such order shall be obtempered by the party or parties to whom it is directed in the manner and within the time specified therein.

Orders to disclose identity of persons S

[F84 84A (1) An application for an order under section 1(1A) of the M20 Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972 requiring a person to disclose such information as he has as to the identity of any person who might be a witness in a cause in dependence before that sheriff court shall be made by minute in the process of that cause craving such an order and specifying the order sought.

(2) On a minute being lodged under paragraph (1), the sheriff shall appoint forthwith—

(a) the application to be heard at a diet to be fixed by him; and

(b) intimation to be made to any other party to the cause and to such other person as appears to him to have an interest in the application.

(3) After hearing parties, the sheriff may either grant or refuse the order sought in whole or in part, or as amended, and subject to such conditions, including caution, as he thinks fit.

(4) An application for an order under section 1(1A) of the M21 Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972 requiring a person to disclose such information as he has as to the identity of any person who might be a witness or defender in any civil proceedings which are likely to be brought, shall be made by summary application.

(5) A summary application under paragraph (4) shall crave the order which is sought and shall specify the nature of the proposed proceedings and the information required.

(6) On presentation of a summary application under paragraph (4), the sheriff may make an order for intimation to such persons as appear to him to have an interest in the application.

(7) After the hearing of the summary application, the sheriff may grant the order sought in whole or in part, or as amended, subject to such conditions, including caution, as he thinks fit.

(8) Subject to paragraph (9), a certified copy interlocutor granting an order made under this rule shall—

(a) be served upon the person to whom it is directed; and

(b) be intimated to any other person to whom intimation of the minute or application, as the case may be, has been made,

by the party in whose favour it has been granted.

(9) An interlocutor granting an order under this rule shall not be served upon, or intimated to, a person who was present or represented when the application under this rule was determined.

(10) An interlocutor of the court under this rule shall be obtempered by the person to whom it is directed in the manner and within the time specified.]

Textual Amendments

F84 Rule 84A inserted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(8)

Marginal Citations

M20 1972 c.59(36:1).

M21 1972 c.59(36:1).

S procedure at proof

Proof to be taken continuously S

85 The proof shall be taken so far as possible continuously, but the sheriff may adjourn the diet from time to time.

Objections S

86 (1) All objections to the admissibility of oral or documentary evidence or to the production of documents, the submissions of parties in relation thereto and the decision of the sheriff or commissioner thereon shall be recorded by the shorthand writer and be extended with the notes of evidence; provided that the sheriff or commissioner may also, if he considers it necessary or desirable to do so, dictate to the shorthand writer a short note of the objection and decision.

(2) The sheriff or commissioner if he considers an objection of sufficient importance may direct that the evidence to which the objection relates should be recorded separately from the remainder of the evidence or report of proceedings.

(3) Where the recording of evidence has been dispensed with in terms of rule 73, the sheriff, if called upon to do so, shall—

(i) in the case of objections to the admissibility of evidence on the ground of confidentiality or to producing a document on any ground, record in a note the terms of such objections and his decision thereon; and

(ii) in all other cases record, in the note to his interlocutor disposing of the merits of the cause the terms of any objections and his decision thereon.

Incidental appeal against rulings on confidentiality of evidence and production of documents S

87 (1) Where a party to the cause or other person objects to the admissibility of oral or documentary evidence on the ground of confidentiality or to producing a document on any ground, any party or person may, if dissatisfied with the ruling of the sheriff respecting the objection, express immediately his formal dissatisfaction and, with leave of the sheriff, appeal to the sheriff principal, who shall dispose of the appeal with the least possible delay; but otherwise it shall not be competent during a proof to submit to review any decision of the sheriff as to the admissibility of evidence or the production of documents.

(2) The incidental appeal referred to in paragraph (1) shall not remove the cause from the sheriff who may proceed with the cause as regards points not necessarily dependent upon the ruling appealed against.

Parties to be heard at close of proof S

88 At the close of the proof, or at an adjourned diet if for any reason the sheriff shall have seen fit to postpone the hearing, the sheriff shall hear parties and thereafter shall pronounce judgment with the least possible delay.

PROCEDURE AFTER JUDGMENT S

S judgement

Judgment S

89 (1) The sheriff shall append to all interlocutors, except those of a formal nature, a note setting out the grounds upon which he has proceeded and in his final interlocutor on the merits he shall set out his findings in fact and in law separately [F85 : Provided always that this paragraph shall not apply to decrees in actions of divorce and of separation and aliment which have proceeded as undefended.]

(2) Where an interlocutor with note appended thereto is pronounced by the sheriff otherwise than in the presence of the parties, the sheriff clerk shall forthwith provide the parties with a copy of such interlocutor and note free of charge.

(3) The sheriff may produce or sign any interlocutor when furth of his sheriffdom, but the date of every interlocutor shall be deemed to be the date upon which it is entered in the books of the court.

(4) At any time before extract, or before the transmission of a process in which an appeal has been taken the sheriff may correct any clerical or incidental error in his interlocutor or note.

Textual Amendments

F85 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(16)

S extracT

Extract S

90 (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) hereof, any decree, interlocutor or order pronounced in a defended cause may be extracted at any time at which it is not possible for any party to mark or pursue an appeal or apply for leave to appeal.

(2) Where, following the pronouncing of any decree, interlocutor or other order the sheriff has reserved any question of expenses, extract may be issued only after the expiry of 14 days from the date of the interlocutor disposing of such expenses, unless the sheriff directs otherwise.

(3) The sheriff on cause shown may grant a motion to allow extract to be applied for and issued earlier than is provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2) provided the motion is made either in the presence of parties or the sheriff is satisfied that proper intimation of the terms of the motion has been made in writing to all other parties.

(4) Nothing in this rule shall affect the power of the sheriff to supersede extract.

Extract decree of divorce S

[F86 90A Every extract decree of divorce shall be as nearly as may be in accordance with Form Z as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.]

Textual Amendments

F86 Rule 90A inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(17)

S appeal

Time limit for appeal S

91 Any appealable interlocutor may be appealed within 14 days of the date of that interlocutor if not sooner extracted following a motion for early extract.

Application for leave to appeal and appeal therefrom S

92 (1) Application for leave to appeal against an interlocutor of a sheriff shall only be competent if made within 7 days of the date of the interlocutor against which it is desired to appeal, but such application shall not be competent if the interlocutor has been extracted following a motion for early extract.

[F87 (2) Where leave to appeal has been granted, an appeal shall be made—

(a) where the appeal relates to a time to pay direction or any order connected therewith, within 14 days; or

(b) in any other case, within 7 days,

of the granting of leave.

(3) An application for leave to appeal relating to a time to pay direction or the recall or restriction of an arrestment shall specify the question of law upon which the appeal is to proceed.]

Textual Amendments

F87 Rule 92(2)(3) substituted for rule 92(2) by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 13

Form of appeal and giving of notice to parties S

93 (1) An appeal shall be taken by note of appeal which shall be written by the appellant on the interlocutor sheet, or other written record containing the interlocutor appealed against, or on a separate sheet lodged with the sheriff clerk; and such note of appeal shall be as nearly as may be in the following terms:—

“The (pursuer, applicant, claimant, defender, respondent or other party) appeals to the sheriff principal/or/to the Court of Session”.

and such note of appeal shall be signed by the appellant, and shall bear the date on which it is signed.

(2) Where the appeal is an appeal to the Court of Session the note of appeal shall specify the name and address of the solicitors in Edinburgh who will be acting for the appellant in the appeal.

(3) On an appeal being taken to the sheriff principal the sheriff clerk shall transmit the process within 4 days to the sheriff principal, and on an appeal to the Court of Session he shall transmit the process within 4 days to the deputy principal clerk of session.

(4) Within the period of 4 days the sheriff clerk shall send written notice of the appeal to the other party or parties and certify on the interlocutor sheet that he has done so; but failure to give such notice shall not invalidate the appeal.

Reclaiming petition or oral hearing may be ordered or dispensed with S

94 The sheriff principal may order a reclaiming petition and answers, or may hear parties orally or may, on the motion of all parties and if to the sheriff principal it seems just, dispose of the appeal without ordering either a reclaiming petition and answers or an oral hearing.

Interim possession may be regulated pending appeal S

95 Notwithstanding an appeal, the sheriff or sheriff principal from whose decision appeal has been taken shall have power to regulate all matters relating to interim possession, to make any order for the preservation of any property to which the action relates or for its sale if perishable, or for the preservation of evidence, or to make in his discretion any interim order which a due regard to the interests of the parties may require. Such orders shall not be subject to review except by the Appellate Court at the hearing of the appeal.

Abandonment of appeal S

96 After an appeal to the sheriff principal has been noted the appellant shall not be entitled to abandon it unless of consent of all parties, or by leave of the sheriff principal.

S EXPENSES

Decree for expenses may be extracted in solicitor’s name S

97 Expenses allowed in any cause, whether in absence orin foro,unless modified at a fixed amount, shall be taxed before decree is granted for them, and the sheriff may allow a decree for expenses to be extracted in the name of the solicitor who conducted the cause.

Objection to auditor’s report S

98 (1) Where an account of expenses is lodged for taxation, the account and process shall be transmitted by the sheriff clerk to the auditor of court, and the auditor shall assign a diet of taxation not earlier than 7 days from the date he receives the account and intimate that diet forthwith to the party who lodged the account.

(2) The party who lodged the account of expenses shall then, forthwith, send a copy thereof and intimate the date, time and place of the diet of taxation to each of the other parties and when the account has been taxed the auditor shall re-transmit the process with the account and his report to the sheriff clerk.

(3) Where the auditor has reserved consideration of the account at the date of the taxation he shall inform the parties who attended the taxation of his decision.

(4) A party may lodge a note of objections to an account as taxed only where he attended the diet of taxation, and the note of objections shall be lodged within 7 days from the date of the taxation of the account, and the sheriff shall dispose of such objection in a summary manner, with or without answers.

(5) If no note of objections is lodged within said period the sheriff may grant decree for the expenses as taxed.

PARTICULAR PROCEDURES S

S sequestration for renT

Actions craving payment of rent S

99 F88 (1). In actions for sequestration and sale in respect of non-payment of rent, for recovery, or in security of rent, whether brought before or after the term of payment, payment of rent may be craved and decree for payment of such rent or part thereof when due and payable, may be pronounced and extracted in common form.

[F89 (2) There shall be served on the defender in such actions, along with the initial writ,warrant and citation, a notice in accordance with form H8 as set out in the Appendix to the Schedule.]

Textual Amendments

F88 “(1)” inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 14(a)

F89 Rule 99(2) inserted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 14(b)

Warrant to inventory and secure S

100 (1) In the first deliverance on an initial writ for sequestration for rent the sheriff may sequestrate the effects of the tenant, and grant warrant to inventory and secure them.

(2) All warrants to sequestrate, inventory, sell, eject or relet shall include authority to open shut and lockfast places for the purpose of carrying such warrant into execution.

Sale of effects S

101 (1) The sheriff may order the sequestrated effects to be sold at the sight of an officer of court or other named person.

(2) When a sale follows it shall be reported within 14 days and the pursuer shall lodge with the sheriff clerk the roup rolls or certified copies thereof and a state of debt.

(3) In the interlocutor approving the report of sale, or by separate interlocutor, the sheriff may grant decree against the defender for any balance remaining due.

Care of effects S

102 The sheriff may at any stage appoint a fit person to take charge of the sequestrated effects, or may require the tenant to find caution that they shall be made available.

S removing

Action of removing where fixed term of removal S

103 (1) Subject to section 24 of the M22 Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1949, an action of removing may be raised at any time, provided the tenant has bound himself to remove by writing, dated and signed within 12 months of the term of removal, or, where there is more than one ish, of the ish first in date to remove.

(2) Subject to the said section 24, when the tenant has not so bound himself an action or removing may be raised at any time, but—

(a) in the case of a lease of lands exceeding 2 acres in extent for 3 years and upwards, an interval of not less than one year nor more than 2 years shall elapse between the date of notice of removal and the term of removal first in date;

(b) in the case of a lease of lands exceeding 2 acres in extent, whether written or verbal, held from year to year [F90 or] under tacit relocation, or for any other period less than 3 years, an interval of not less than 6 months shall elapse between the date of notice of removal and the term of removal first in date; and

(c) in the case of houses let with or without land attached not exceeding 2 acres in extent, as also of land not exceeding 2 acres in extent without houses, as also of mills, fishings, shootings, and all other heritable subjects excepting land exceeding 2 acres in extent, and let for a year or more, 40 days at least shall elapse between the date of notice of removal and the term of removal first in date.

(3) In any defended action of removing the sheriff may order the defender to find caution for violent profits.

(4) In actions of declarator of irritancy and removing by a superior against a vassal, the pursuer shall call as parties the last entered vassal and such heritable creditors and holders of postponed ground burdens as are disclosed by a search for 20 years prior to the raising of the action and the expense of the search shall form part of the pursuer’s expenses of process.

Textual Amendments

F90 Word substituted by S.I. 1983/1546, para. 2(a)

Marginal Citations

M22 1949 c.75(2:3).

Form of notice of removal S

104 Notices under sections 34, 35 and 36 of the M23 [F91 Act of 1907] shall be as nearly as may be in terms of Form L as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule, and a letter of removal may be in terms of Form M as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

Textual Amendments

F91 Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1546, para. 2(b)

Marginal Citations

M23 1907 c.51(36:3).

Form of notice under section 37 S

105 Notices under section 37 of the [F92 Act of 1907] shall be as nearly as may be in terms of Form N as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule, and such form may be used also for notices to the proprietor by or on behalf of the tenant.

Textual Amendments

F92 Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1546, para. 2(b)

Removal notices S

106 Removal notices under sections 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 of the [F93 Act of 1907] may be given by a messenger-at-arms or sheriff officer, or by registered letter signed by the person entitled to give such notice, or by the law agent or factor of such person, posted at any post office within the United Kingdom in time to admit of its being delivered at the address thereon on or prior to the last date upon which by law such notice must be given, addressed to the person entitled to receive such notice, and bearing the particular address of such person at the time if the same be known, or, if the same be not known, then to the last known address of such person.

Textual Amendments

F93 Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1546, para. 2(b)

Evidence of notice to remove S

107 (1) A certificate of notice under rule 104 dated and endorsed upon the lease or extract, or upon the letter of removal, and signed by the sheriff officer, messenger-at-arms, or by the person giving the notice, or his law agent, or factor, or an acknowledgement of notice endorsed on the lease or extract of letter of removal by the party in possession or his agent shall be sufficient evidence that notice has been given.

(2) Where there is no lease, a certificate endorsed upon a copy of the notice or letter, certified to be correct, by the person, sheriff officer, messenger-at-arms, law agent, or factor sending the same, which certificate shall be signed by such party sending the notice or letter, shall also be sufficient evidence that notice has been given.

(3) A certificate of notice under rule 105 dated and endorsed upon a copy of the notice or letter signed by the party sending the notice, shall be sufficient evidence that such notice has been given.

Applications under Part II of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970 S

[F94 107A (1) An application or counter-application to the sheriff under Part II of the M24 Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970 shall be brought—

(a) as an ordinary cause, where any other remedy is craved; or

(b) as a summary application, where no other remedy is craved.

(2) An interlocutor of the sheriff disposing of an application or counter-application under paragraph (1) shall be final and not subject to appeal except as to a question of title or as to any other remedy granted.]

Textual Amendments

F94 Rule 107A inserted (9.4.1990) by S.I. 1990/661, para. 2(3)

Marginal Citations

M24 1970 c.35(31:1).

S summary suspension

Summary application for suspension of charge S

108 Where a charge has been given on a decree of court granted by the sheriff or a decree of registration proceeding upon a bond, bill, contract, or other form of obligation registered in any sheriff court books, or in the Books of Council and Session, or any others competent or on letters of horning following on such decree, for payment of any sum of money the person so charged may apply in the sheriff court having jurisdiction over him for suspension of such charge and diligence.

Sist of diligence S

109 On sufficient caution being found in the hands of the sheriff clerk for the sum charged for with interest thereon, and expenses, and a further sum to be fixed by the sheriff in respect of expenses to be incurred in the suspension process, the sheriff may sist diligence, order intimation and answers, and proceed to dispose of the cause in a summary manner.

Objections S

110 If objections are taken to the competency or regularity of suspension proceedings, the judgement of the sheriff, on such objections, may be appealed to the sheriff principal whose judgement thereon shall be final.

S arrestmenT

Service of schedule of arrestment S

111 If a schedule of arrestment has not been personally served upon an arrestee, the arrestment shall only have effect if a copy of the schedule is also sent in a registered or recorded delivery letter to the last known place of residence of the arrestee, or, if such place of residence is unknown, or if the arrestee is a firm or corporation, to the arrestee’s principal place of business if known, or, if not known, to any known place of business of the arrestee, and the officer shall in his execution certify that this has been done and specify the address in question.

Report of arrestment S

112 (1) An arrestment on the dependence of a cause used prior to service shall fall unless the cause shall have been served within 20 days from the date of arrestment and

(a) in the case of defended causes, has been tabled within 20 days of the first ordianry court day occurring subsequent to the expiry of the period of notice, or

(b) in the case of undefended causes, decree in absence has been taken within 20 days of the expiry of the period of notice.

(2) when such an arrestment has been executed the party using it or his agent shall forthwith report the execution to the sheriff clerk.

S multiplepoindinG

Action of multiplepoinding S

113 An action of multiplepoinding may be raised by any party holding, or having an interest in or claim on, the fundin medio.

Service of initial writ S

114 The pursuer shall serve the initial writ on all persons so far as known to him having an interest in the fundin medio, including the holder of the fund where the pursuer is not the holder.

Order or advertisement S

115 The sheriff may make an order for advertisement of the action in such newspapers as he considers necessary.

Condescendence on the fund S

116 If the pursuer is the holder of the fundin medio he shall condescend in detail on the said fund in the condescendence of the initial writ.

Lodging of notice of appearance S

117 If any party intends to lodge defences to the competency of the action, objections to the condescendence of the fundin medio or a claim on the fundin medio,he shall, before expiry of the appropriate period of notice lodge a notice of appearance, which shall be as nearly as possible in terms of Form O as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule, and shall specify therein the purpose of his intended appearance.

Lodging of process S

118 Where a notice of appearance has been lodged, the cause shall table, and the pursuer shall lodge a process in accordance with rule 37.

Lodging of defences, objections and claims where the holder is the pursuer S

119 (1) Where the holder of the fundin medio is the pursuer, the sheriff at tabling shall appoint a period within which any defences, objections or claims shall be lodged, and appoint a date on which the cause shall appear on the procedure roll.

(2) Defences, objections and claims shall be lodged with the sheriff clerk in a single document under separate headings.

(3) Each claimant shall lodge with his claim any documents founded on in his claim, so far as the same are within his custody or power.

Condescendence on the fund by holder who is not pursuer S

120 Where the holder of the fundin medio is not the pursuer, the sheriff, at tabling shall appoint a period within which he is to lodge in process a detailed condescendence of the fund in his hands together with a list of all persons, so far as known to him, having an interest in the said fund, and shall appoint a date on which the cause shall appear on the procedure roll; and the procedure for the lodging of defences, objections and claims specified in rule 119 shall be followed.

Disposal of defences S

121 (1) At the hearing on the procedure roll, where defences have been lodged, the sheriff may order the initial writ and defences to be adjusted in accordance with rule 122 and thereafter shall close the record thereon and regulate further procedure.

(2) Unless the sheriff otherwise directs, defences shall be disposed of before any further procedure in the action.

Objections to fundin medio S

122 (1) Where objections to the fundin medio have been lodged the sheriff may, after disposal of any defences, order the condescendence of the fund and objections to be adjusted and thereafter shall close the records thereon and regulate further procedure.

(2) If no objections to the fundin medio have been lodged, or if objections have been lodged and disposed of, the sheriff, without order for intimation to any party, may on the motion of the holder of the fund approve the condescendence on the fund and find the holder liable only in once and single payment.

Consignation of the fund S

123 (1) At any time after the [F95 condescendence] of the fundin medio has been approved, the sheriff may order it to be consigned or deposited in the hands of the sheriff clerk, or may order the whole or any part of the fund to be sold and the proceeds of sale to be consigned as aforesaid.

(2) After such consignation or deposit, it shall be competent for the holder of the fundin medio to apply for his exoneration and discharge.

Textual Amendments

F95 Word substituted by S.I. 1983/1546, para. 2(c)

Expenses S

124 The sheriff may allow the holder of the fundin medio, on his exoneration and discharge, his expenses out of the said fund as a first charge thereon.

Further service or advertisement S

125 The sheriff may, on the motion of any party orex proprio motu, at any time order further advertisement or service on any person.

Ranking of claims S

126 (1) After disposal of any defences, and after approval on the condescendence of the fundin medio, the sheriff, where there is no competition on the fund, may rank and prefer the claimants and grant decree in terms of said ranking.

(2) Where there is competition the sheriff may order claims to be adjusted in accordance with rule 122 and thereafter shall close the records thereon and regulate further procedure.

Remit to Reporter S

127 (1) Where several claims have been lodged the sheriff may remit to a Reporter to prepare a scheme of division and report.

(2) The expenses of such remit, when approved by the sheriff, shall be made a charge upon the fund to be deducted before division.

S disposal of money payable to persons under legal disabilitY

Disposal of money payable to persons under legal disability S

128 (1) Where in any action of damages by or on behalf of a person under legal disability, arising out of injury sustained by such person, or out of the death of some other person in respect of whose death the person under legal disability is entitled to damages, a sum of money becomes payable to such person, such sum shall unless otherwise ordered, be paid into court and shall be invested, applied, or otherwise dealt with and administered by the court for the benefit of the person entitled thereto, and the receipt of the sheriff clerk shall be a sufficient discharge in respect of the amount paid in.

(2) The sheriff clerk of any sheriff court is also authorised at the request of any competent court to accept custody of any sum of money paid into such court in any action of damages by or for behoof of a person under legal disability provided always that such person is then resident within the jurisdiction of such sheriff court and such sum shall be invested or otherwise dealt with as in this rule.

(3) Where any money is paid into the court under this rule it shall thereafter be paid out by the sheriff clerk or otherwise applied for the benefit of the person entitled thereto after such intimation and service and such enquiry as the sheriff may direct.

(4) On payment into court under this rule of money which has become payable to a person under legal disability, the sheriff clerk shall:—

(a) issue to the person making the payment a receipt in or as nearly as may be in terms of Form P as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule to which receipt there shall be added a form in terms of Form Q as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule;

(b) transmit forthwith to the Secretary of State a copy of the said receipt, having appended thereto the additional particulars specified in Form R as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule and the person making the payment shall forthwith complete and transmit to the Secretary of State Form Q intimating the payment into court.

(5) Any sum which in terms of this rule is ordered to be invested, shall be invested in any manner in which trustees are authorised to invest by virtue of the M25 Trustee Investments Act 1961, and no such sum shall be invested otherwise than in accordance with this rule.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 Sch. 1 rule 128(1)–(3)(5) extended by S.I. 1988/110, rules 82, 125(10)

Marginal Citations

M25 1961 c.62(98:4,128).

S miscellaneouS

Recall or variation of decrees for aliment or orders for financial provision and of decrees regarding the custody of and access to children S

[F96 129 (1) Subject to paragraph (4), applications to which paragraph (2) applies shall be made by minute lodged in the original process in which decree was pronounced or an order granted.

(2) This rule applies to applications for—

(a) the recall or variation of a sheriff court decree for payment of aliment whether pronounced in favour of a spouse, a parent, or any other person or pronounced in respect of a legitimate or illegitimate child; or

(b) recall or variation of a periodical allowance;

(c) variation of the date or method of payment of a capital sum;

(d) variation of the date of transfer of property;

(e) the recall or variation of any decree regulating the custody of or access to legitimate or illegitimate children; or

(f) the recall or variation of an incidental order as defined in section 14(2) of the M26 Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 made before, on, or after, the date of the decree of divorce.

(3) The sheriff shall order the minute to be served on any other party and appoint answers to be lodged within a specified time and shall thereafter without closing the record, and after such proof or other procedure as to the sheriff seems necessary, dispose of the application.

(4) In an action of divorce or of separation, a party may, without making application under paragraph (1), crave an order relating to custody, aliment of or access to the children of the marriage, or aliment of one of the parties, notwithstanding that an order to the same or different effect has been made in a previous sheriff court process whether in the same or another sheriff court and the sheriff may make such new order thereanent as the circumstances at the date of the order require, whereupon the previous order shall cease to apply.]

Textual Amendments

F96 Rule 129 substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(16)

Marginal Citations

M26 1985 c.37(49:3).

Intimation S

[F97 130 (1)(a) In an action where—

(i) adultery is averred by the pursuer or defender;

(ii) the name of the person with whom adultery is alleged to have been committed is disclosed in the action; and

(iii) such person is not a party to the action,

the sheriff shall not allow inquiry until a copy of the initial writ and a form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H1 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule have been intimated to such person or until the sheriff is satisfied that the address of such person is unknown.

(b) An order for such intimation may be contained in the original warrant of citation or intimation may be appointed to be made at a later stage.

(c) The requirement to intimate under this paragraph shall not apply where the pursuer alleges rape upon, or incest with, a named person by the defender.

(2)(a) In an action in which the pursuer alleges sodomy or any homosexual relationship between the defender and a named person, the pursuer shall, immediately after the expiry of the period of notice, enrol a motion for intimation to that person, and the sheriff, at the hearing of the motion, may make such order for intimation or for dispensing with intimation to that person as seems just.

(b) Where intimation is ordered under this paragraph, a form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H2 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule and a copy of the initial writ shall be intimated to the named person.

(3) Where the sheriff makes an order dispensing with intimation under paragraph (2), he may also make an order that the name of that person be deleted from the condescendence in the initial writ.

(4) In an action in which the sheriff may make an order in respect of the custody of a child—

(a) who is in the care of a local authority; or

(b) who is a child of one spouse (including an illegitimate or an adopted child), being a child under the age of 16 years and who is liable to be maintained by a third party,

the pursuer shall intimate a copy of the initial writ and form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H3 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule to the local authority or third party concerned.

(5) In an action relating to a marriage which was entered into under a law which permits polygamy and in which a decree of separation or a decree of divorce is sought, and either party to the marriage in question has any spouse additional to the other party, the warrant of citation shall include an order for intimation of the action to such additional spouse and the pursuer shall intimate a copy of the initial writ and form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H4 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule to such additional spouse.

(6) In an action in which the sheriff may make an order in respect of the custody of a child who is inde facto custody of a third party, the pursuer shall intimate a copy of the initial writ and form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H5 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule to the third party concerned.

(7) In an action in which the sheriff—

(a) proposes to commit the care of a child to an individual other than one of the parties to the marriage or to a local authority under section 10 of the M27 Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act 1958 or section 11(1)(a) of the M28 Guardianship Act 1973; the pursuer shall intimate a copy of the initial writ and form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H6 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule to the individual or local authority concerned; or

(b) has made an order placing a child under the supervision of a local authority under section 12 of the M29 Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act 1958 or section 11(1)(b) of the M30 Guardianship Act 1973; the sheriff clerk shall send a form of intimation thereof as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H6A as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule to the local authority concerned.

(8) In an action for custody of a child by a person by virtue of [F98 section 47] of the M31 Children Act 1975, that person shall give notice to—

(a) the local authority within whose area that person resides within seven days of lodging the action; or

(b) in any other case, such local authority as the court may direct under section 49(1) of the M32 Children Act 1975,

by intimating to the local authority a copy of the initial writ together with a notice as nearly as may be in accordance with Form T2 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(9) In an action in which an order is sought by a pursuer or defender under section 8(1) of the M33 Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 for the transfer of property subject to security in which the consent of the creditor has not been obtained, the party seeking the order shall intimate a copy of the initial writ and form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form H7 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule, to the creditor.

(10) Intimation under paragraph (4) or (5) may be dispensed with if the sheriff is satisfied that the address of the person to whom intimation is to be made is unknown.

(11)(a) Intimation under this rule shall be on a period of notice of [F99 21] days unless the sheriff shall consider it appropriate in the circumstances to appoint another period; provided that in no circumstances shall the period of notice be less than forty eight hours.

(b) All warrants for intimation except those under paragraph (2), or where the period of notice is varied, may be signed by the sheriff clerk in conjunction with a warrant of citation under rule 8(1).

(12) A person receiving intimation under paragraph (1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7)(a) or (9) may apply within the period of notice by minute craving to be sisted as a party and for leave to lodge defences of answers as the case may be.

(13)(a) A minute lodged under paragraph (12) shall be accompanied by the service copy of the intimation.

(b) On receiving such a minute, the sheriff clerk shall assign a diet in the cause for a date after the expiry of the period of notice and the sheriff shall, at the diet, regulate the further procedure in the cause.

(c) The sheriff may authorise proof by affidavit evidence in respect of any matter not in dispute between the parties.]

Textual Amendments

F97 Rule 130 inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(17)

F98 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(9)

F99 “21” substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 15

Marginal Citations

M27 1958 c.40(49:3).

M28 1973 c.29(49:9,10).

M29 1958 c.40(49:3).

M30 1973 c.29 (49:9,10).

M31 1975 c.72(49:9,10).

M32 1975 c.72(49:9,10).

M33 1985 c.37(49:3).

Notices in actions of [F100 divorce and] separation . . . F101 S

131 [F102 (1)] Where the facts set out in section 1(2)(d) (two years’ non-cohabitation and the defender’s consent to decree) of the M34 Divorce (Scotland) Act, 1976, are relied on in an action of separation . . . F101 , a notice as nearly as may be in terms of Form S as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule shall be sent with the copy of the initial writ served on the defender, together with a notice as nearly as may be in terms of Form T as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

[F103 (2) Where the facts set out in section 1(2)(d) of the M35 Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976 (two years non-cohabitation and the defender’s consent to decree) are relied upon in an action of divorce, a notice as nearly as may be in terms of Form S1 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule shall be sent with the copy of the initial writ served on the defender together with a notice as nearly as may be in terms of Form T as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(3) Where the facts set out in section 1(2)(e) of the Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976 (five years non-cohabitation) are relied upon in an action of separation . . . F101 , a notice as nearly as may be in terms of Form S2 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule shall be sent with the copy of the initial writ served on the defender.

(4) Where the facts set out in section 1(2)(e) of the Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976 (five years non-cohabitation) are relied upon in an action of divorce, a notice as nearly as may be in terms of Form S3 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule shall be sent with the copy of the initial writ served on the defender.]

Textual Amendments

F100 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(20)(a)

F101 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(18)

F102 “—(1)” inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(20)(b)

F103 Rule 131(2)–(4) inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(20)(c)

Marginal Citations

M34 1976 c.39(49:3).

M35 1976 c.39(49:3).

Consent to grant of decree S

132 (1) Where in an action of [F104 divorce or an action of] separation . . . F105 in which the facts set out in section 1(2)(d) of the M36 Divorce (Scotland) Act, 1976, (two years non-cohabitation and the defender’s consent to decree) are relied on, the defender wishes to indicate to the court that he consents to the grant of a decree, he shall do so by giving notice in writing to that effect to the sheriff clerk at the sheriff court referred to in the initial writ who shall, on receipt of such notice, lodge it in process.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) a notice of consent in the form set out in Form T containing a statement that the defender consents to the grant of a decree shall be treated as notice under that paragraph if it is signed by the defender; and the evidence of one witness shall be sufficient for establishing that the signature on the notice of consent bearing to be that of the defender is in fact that of the defender.

(3) Where in an action of [F104 divorce or an action of] separation . . . F105 the initial writ contains an averment for the purposes of the said section 1(2)(d) that the defender consents to the grant of a decree, he may give notice in writing to the court that he has not consented to a decree being granted or that he withdraws any consent which he has already given.

(4) In a case where the defender gives notice under paragraph (3) the sheriff clerk shall intimate its terms to the pursuer.

(5) On receiving intimation under paragraph (4) of a notice given under paragraph (3) the pursuer shall if none of the other facts mentioned in section 1(2) of the Divorce (Scotland) Act, 1976, are averred in the initial writ, lodge a motion for the action to be sisted, and the sheriff may grant that motion.

(6) If such a motion is granted and the sist is not recalled or renewed within a period of 6 months from the date of the interlocutor granting the sist, the pursuer shall be deemed to have abandoned the action.

Textual Amendments

F104 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(21)

F105 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(19)

Marginal Citations

M36 1976 c.39(49:3).

Applications under the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 S

[F106 132A (1) Where, in an action in which an alimentary crave is or may be made, a party seeks an order under section 7(2) of the M37 Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (“the 1985 Act”) (variation or termination of agreement on aliment) he shall do so either in the initial writ or by separate minute in the process.

(2) Where an order referred to in paragraph (1) is sought in any other circumstances, application for the order shall be by way of summary application.

(3) Where a party seeks an order under section 16 (1)(a) of the 1985 Act (order setting aside or varying term of agreement relating to a periodical allowance), application for the order shall be by way of summary application.

(4) Where a party in an action of divorce seeks an order under section 16(1)(b) of the 1985 Act (agreement or financial provision not fair and reasonable), he shall do so either in the initial writ or by separate minute in the process or, if appropriate, by way of counter-claim.]

Textual Amendments

F106 Rule 132A inserted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(20)

Marginal Citations

M37 1985 c.37(49:3).

Applications to declare removal of a child unlawful S

[F107 132B Where, in any proceedings for custody of a child, an interested party wishes to make an application under section 23(2) of the Child Abduction and Custody Act M38 1985 for declarator that the removal of the child from the United Kingdom was unlawful, he shall make such application in the initial writ or counter-claim, or by separate minute in the process, as the case may be.]

Textual Amendments

F107 Rule 132B inserted by S.I. 1986/1966, para. 2(10)

Marginal Citations

M38 1985 c.60(20).

S [F108 FAMILY LAW ACT 1986]

Textual Amendments

F108 Rules 132C–132E inserted by S.I. 1988/614, para. 2

Averments of other proceedings relating to children S

132C A party to any cause which includes an application for a custody order (as defined by section 1(1)(b) of the M39 Family Law Act 1986), shall make averments in his pleadings giving particulars of any other proceedings known to him (whether in Scotland or elsewhere and whether concluded or not) which relate to the child in respect of whom the custody order is sought.

Marginal Citations

M39 1986 c.55(49:9).

Disclosure of information S

132D Where the court pronounces an interlocutor ordering a person to disclose information to the court as to a child’s whereabouts under section 33(1) of the Family Law Act 1986, it may do so by ordaining that person to appear before it or to lodge an affidavit.

Applications for interdict or interim interdict S

132E An application by a person mentioned in section 35(4)(b) or (c) of the Family Law Act 1986 for interdict or interim interdict under section 35(3) of that Act shall be made by minute in the cause in which the application is to be made.

Specification of prior maintenance orders S

[F109 132F In any proceedings in which an order for aliment or periodical allowance is sought, or is sought to be varied or recalled, by any party, the pleadings of that party shall contain an averment specifying whether and, if so, when and by whom, a maintenance order (within the meaning of section 106 of the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987) has been granted in favour of or against that party or of any other person in respect of whom the order is sought.]

Textual Amendments

F109 Rule 132F inserted (3.12.1990) by S.I. 1990/2238, para. 6

Referral to Family Conciliation Service S

[F110 132F In any cause where the custody of, or access to, a child is in dispute the sheriff may, at any stage in the proceedings where he considers it appropriate to do so, refer the parties to a specified Family Conciliation Service.]

Textual Amendments

F110 Rule 132F inserted (9.4.1990) by S.I. 1990/661, para. 2(4)

S appointment of curatorad litem

Special application for appointment of acurator ad litem S

133 (1) In an action of [F111 divorce or an action of] separation . . . F112 where it appears to the sheriff that the defender is suffering from mental disorder within the meaning of the M40 Mental Health (Scotland) Act, [F113 1984], the sheriff shall:—

(a) appoint a curatorad litem to the defender; and

(b) in an action of [F111 divorce or an action of] separation . . . F112 under section 1(2)(d) of the M41 Divorce (Scotland) Act, 1976, make an order informing the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland of the ground of the action and requesting them to provide a report indicating whether in their opinion the defender is capable of deciding whether or not to give consent to the granting of decree.

(2) The pursuer shall within 7 days of the making of an order under head (a) of paragraph (1) appointing a curatorad litem to the defender, send to the curator a certified copy initial writ and defences, if any.

(3) The curatorad litem may, within 14 days of the Commission providing the report under head (b) of paragraph (1), or in any other case in which no such report is requested, within 21 days of his appointment under head (a) of that paragraph lodge:—

(i) a notice of appearance;

(ii) defences to the action;

(iii) a minute adopting defences already lodged; or

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

and may appear in the action at any time to protect the interests of the defender.

Textual Amendments

F111 Words inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(21)

F112 Words repealed by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(21)(a)

F113 “1984” substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(21)(b)

Marginal Citations

M40 1984 c.36(85).

M41 1976 c.39(49:3).

S european courT

European Court S

134 (1) Interpretation:

In this Rule—

(a)

any expression defined in Schedule 1 to the M42 European Communities Act, 1972, has the meaning there given to it;

(b)

“The European Court” means the Court of Justice of the European Communities;

(c)

“reference” means a reference to the European Court for a preliminary ruling under Article 177 of the European Economic Community Treaty, Article 150 of the European Atomic Energy Community Treaty or Article 41 of the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty [F114 or a ruling on the interpretation of the Conventions, as defined in section 1(1) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgements Act M43 1982, under article 3 of Schedule 2 to that Act.]

(d)

“appeal” shall include an application for leave to appeal.

(2)

A reference may be made by the sheriffex proprio motu or on the motion of any party to the proceedings in the sheriff court.

(3)

A reference shall be made in the form of a request for a preliminary ruling of the European Court as nearly as may be in terms of Form U as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(4a)

When the sheriff decides that a reference be made, he shall continue the cause simpliciter for the purpose and within 4 weeks thereafter draft a reference.

(b)

On the reference being drafted, the sheriff clerk shall forthwith send a copy to each of the parties.

(c)

Within 4 weeks from the date when copies of the draft have been sent to parties, each party may lodge in the hands of the sheriff clerk and send to each of the other parties in the proceedings a note of any adjustments he desires to have made in the draft reference.

(d)

Within 14 days after the latest date on which any such note may be lodged the sheriff, after considering any such adjustments, shall make and sign the reference.

(e)

The sheriff clerk shall forthwith intimate the making of the reference to the parties in the proceedings.

(5)

On a reference being made the proceedings shall, unless the sheriff when making such a reference otherwise orders be sisted until the European Court has given a preliminary ruling on the question or questions referred to it, provided that the sheriff shall have power to recall such sist for the purpose of making any interim order which a due regard to the interests of the parties may require.

(6)

A copy of the reference certified by the sheriff clerk shall be transmitted by the sheriff clerk to the Registrar of the European Court, but unless the sheriff otherwise directs, such copy shall not be sent to the Registrar so long as an appeal or further appeal against the making of the reference is pending, and for this purpose an appeal or further appeal shall be treated as pending (where one is competent but has not been brought) until the expiration of the time for bringing that appeal.

Textual Amendments

F114 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(7)

Marginal Citations

M42 1972 c.68(29:5).

M43 1982 c.27(45:3).

S [F115 SIMPLIFIED DIVORCE PROCEDURE]

Textual Amendments

F115 Rules 135–143 inserted by S.I. 1984/255, para. 3(22)

Simplified procedure S

135 (1) The provisions of this rule and of the following rules of this section shall have effect in relation to applications for divorce other than by initial writ which are hereinafter referred to as “simplified divorce applications”, and—

(a) the following rules of this section shall apply to simplified divorce applications;

(b) “the Act of 1976” means the M44 Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976.

(2) This rule applies to an application for divorce by a party to a marriage if, but only if—

(a) that party applies for divorce in reliance on the facts set out in section 1(2)(d) (two years non-cohabitation and the defender’s consent to decree), or section 1(2)(e) (five years non-cohabitation) of the Act of 1976;

(b) in an application for divorce under section 1(2)(d) of the Act of 1976, the other party consents to decree of divorce being granted;

(c) no other proceedings are pending in any court which could have the effect of bringing the marriage to an end;

(d) there are no children of the marriage under the age of sixteen years;

(e) neither party applies for an order for financial provision on divorce; and

(f) neither party suffers from mental disorder within the meaning of the M45 Mental Health (Scotland) Act [F116 1984].

(3) If an application made under this rule ceases to be an application to which this rule applies at any time before it is finally disposed of, that application shall cease to have effect and shall be dismissed.

Textual Amendments

F116 “1984” substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(22)

Marginal Citations

M44 1976 c.39(49:3).

M45 1984 c.36(85).

Form of application S

136 (1) A simplified divorce application relying on the facts set out in section 1(2)(d) of the Act of 1976 shall be made in accordance with Form SDA1 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(2) A simplified divorce application relying on the facts set out in section 1(2)(e) of the Act of 1976 shall be made in accordance with Form SDA2 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(3) An application made under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be signed by the applicant, and the form of consent in accordance with Form SDA3 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule in an application under paragraph (1) shall be signed by the party giving consent, failing which the application shall not have effect.

Lodging applications S

137 The applicant shall deliver the application or cause it to be delivered (by post or by hand) duly completed and signed to the sheriff clerk together with—

(a) an extract or certified copy of his marriage certificate; and

(b) the fee specified in respect of a simplified divorce application.

Citation S

138 (1) It shall be the duty of the sheriff clerk to cite any person or intimate any document in connection with a simplified divorce application. The form of citation in an application under rule 136(2) shall be in accordance with Form SDA4 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(2) The sheriff clerk may arrange for citation or intimation required in paragraph (1) to be made by registered or recorded delivery post or, on payment to the sheriff clerk of the specified additional fee, by sheriff officer [F117 or, if appropriate, by any other method provided for by rule 139].

(3) Any citation of or intimation to a person by sheriff officer in terms of this rule shall be effected either by personal service or by being left in the hands of an inmate of, or employee at, the dwelling place or place of business of that person.

(4) On the face of the envelope used for postal service under this rule there shall be written or printed a notice as nearly as may be in the following form—

“This letter contains a citation to or intimation from the Sheriff Court (specify court). If delivery of the letter cannot be made within 7 days of the date of posting it is to be returned immediately thereafter to the sheriff clerk (specify court and address).”

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4(2) of the Citation Amendment (Scotland) Act M46 1882, in all cases of postal service the period of notice shall start to run on the day of posting.

(6) The following periods of notice shall apply to any citation or intimation under this rule—

[F118 (a) 21 days when the defender is resident or has a place of business within Europe]

[F119 (b)] 42 days when the addressee is resident or has a place of business outside Europe.

(7) The sheriff may, on cause shown, shorten or extend the period of notice on such conditions as to the form or manner of service as the sheriff may direct, but in any case where the period of notice is reduced at least two days notice shall be given.

(8) Where a period of notice expires on a Saturday, Sunday, public or court holiday the period of notice shall be deemed to expire on the first following day on which the sheriff clerk’s office is open for civil court business.

[F120 (9) Where, in an application, the facts in section 1(2)(e) of the Act of 1976 are relied on and the address of the respondent is unknown—

(a) citation of the respondent shall be effected by displaying a copy of the application and notice as nearly as may be in accordance with Form SDA6 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule on the walls of court and the period of notice shall be [F121 21] days; and

(b) intimation shall be made to—

(i) every child of the marriage between the parties and

(ii) one of the next of kin of the respondent who has reached the age of 12 years in the case of a girl and 14 years in the case of a boy.

(10) Intimation to a person referred to in sub-paragraph 9(b)(i) and (ii) shall be effected by intimating a copy of the application and form of intimation as nearly as may be in accordance with Form SDA7 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(11) Intimation to a person referred to in sub-paragraph 9(b)(i) and (ii) shall not be required under paragraph 10 if the address of that person is unknown to the applicant.]

Textual Amendments

F117 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(8)

F118 Rule 138(6)(a) substituted for rule 138(6)(a)(b) by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 16

F119 Sub-paragraph relettered sub-paragraph (b) by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 16

F120 Rule 138(9)–(11) substituted for rule 138(9)(10) by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(23)

F121 “21” substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 16(2)

Marginal Citations

M46 1882 c.77(45:2).

Citation of or service on persons outwith Scotland S

[F122 139 (1) Subject to the following provisions of this rule, any simplified divorce application may be served outwith Scotland on any person—

(a) at a known residence or place of business in England and Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or any country with which the United Kingdom does not have a convention providing for service of writs in that country—

(i) in accordance with the rules for personal service under the domestic law of the place in which service is to be effected; or

(ii) by posting in Scotland a copy of the application in a registered or recorded delivery letter or the nearest equivalent which the available postal services permit addressed to the person at his residence or place of business;

(b) in a country which is a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra-Judicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters dated 15 November 1965—

(i) by a method prescribed by the internal law of the country where service is to be effected for the service of documents in domestic actions upon persons who are within its territory:

(ii) by or through a central authority in the country where service is to be effected at the request of the Foreign Office;

(iii) by or through a British Consular authority at the request of the Foreign Office;

(iv) where the law of the country in which the person resides permits, by posting in Scotland a copy of the application in a registered or recorded delivery letter or the nearest equivalent which the available postal services permit addressed to the person at his residence; or

(v) where the law of the country in which the person resides permits, service by anhuissier, other judicial officer or competent official of the country where service is to be made;

(c) in a country with which the United Kingdom has a convention on the service of writs in that country other than the convention in sub-paragraph (b), by one of the methods approved in the relevant convention.

(2) An application which requires to be posted in Scotland for the purposes of this rule shall be posted by the sheriff clerk and the form for citation in rule 138 shall apply to a postal citation under this rule as they apply to a citation under that rule.

(3) On the face of the envelope used for postal service under this rule there shall be written or printed a notice in the same or similar terms as that required in the case of ordinary service under rule 138.

(4) Where service is effected by a method specified in paragraph (1)(b)(ii) or (iii), the sheriff clerk shall—

(a) send a copy of the application with citation attached with a request for service to be effected by delivery to the defender or his residence to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; and

(b) lodge in process a certificate of execution of service signed by the authority which has effected service.

(5) Where service is effected by the method specified in paragraph (1)(b)(v), the sheriff clerk shall—

(a) send to the official in the country in which service is to be effected a copy of the application with citation attached with a request for service to be effected by delivery to the defender or his residence; and

(b) lodge in process a certificate of execution of service by the official who has effected service.

(6) Every writ or document and every citation and notice on the face of the envelope under paragraph (3) shall be accompanied by a translation in an official language of the country in which service is to be executed unless English is an official language of that country.

(7) A translation under paragraph (6) shall be certified as a correct translation by the person making it and the certificate shall contain the full name, address and qualifications of the translator and be lodged along with the execution of citation or certificate of execution.]

Textual Amendments

F122 Rule 139 substituted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(9)

Opposition to applications S

140 (1) Any person who has been cited or to whom intimation has been made in connection with a simplified divorce application may [F123 challenge the jurisdiction of the court or] oppose the granting of decree of divorce by letter to the court giving reasons for his opposition to the application.

(2) If opposition to a simplified divorce application is made in terms of paragraph (1) the sheriff shall dismiss the application unless he is satisfied that the reasons given for the opposition are frivolous.

(3) The sheriff clerk shall intimate the decision of the sheriff in respect of any opposition to the application to all parties concerned with the application.

[F124 (4) The lodging of a letter under paragraph (1) shall not imply acceptance of the jurisdiction of the court.]

Textual Amendments

F123 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 3(10)(a)

F124 Rule 140(4) inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(10)(b)

Decree S

141 (1) The sheriff may grant decree in terms of the simplified divorce application on the expiry of the period of notice if such application has been properly served [F125 :provided that, when the application has been served in a country to which the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra-Judicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters dated 15 November 1965 applies, decree shall not be granted until it is established to the satisfaction of the sheriff that the requirements of article 15 of that Convention have been complied with].

(2) The sheriff clerk shall, not sooner than 14 days after the granting of decree in terms of paragraph (1), issue to each party to the application an extract of the decree of divorce as nearly as may be in accordance with Form SDA5 as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

Textual Amendments

F125 Words inserted by S.I. 1986/1946, para. 2(11)

Appeal S

142 A respondent may, within 14 days of the date of an interlocutor granting decree of divorce, appeal against that interlocutor by addressing a letter to the [F126 court] giving reasons for his appeal.

Textual Amendments

F126 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/1230, para. 3(24)

Subsequent applications S

143 (1) After the granting of decree of divorce, a party to a simplified divorce application may, in the event of a material change in the circumstances of one or other or both of the parties, make a subsequent application to the sheriff in respect of any matter.

(2) A subsequent application shall be made by minute in the original process of the simplified divorce application and such minute shall specify that there has been a material change in the circumstances of one or other or both of the parties since the granting of decree of divorce and shall specify the nature of such change of circumstances.

[F127 DAMAGES] S

Textual Amendments

F127 Rules 144–149 inserted (retrospectively as to rules 147–149) by S.I. 1984/921 paras. 3, 4(2)

S DAMAGES (SCOTLAND) ACT 1976

Action for Damages under the M47 Damages (Scotland) Act 1976 S

144 (1) This rule and rules 145 and 146 apply to any action in which, following the death of any person from personal injuries, damages are claimed either by the executor of the deceased in respect of the relevant injuries, or by any relative of the deceased in respect of the death of the deceased.

(2) The term “relative” shall have the meaning assigned to it by section 10 of and Schedule 1 to the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976.

Marginal Citations

M47 1976 c.13(122:3).

Intimation to persons having title to sue under Schedule 1 to the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976 S

145 (1) In an action to which rule 144 applies the pursuer shall specify in the initial writ—

(a) that he is the only person with a title to sue the defender in respect of the injuries or death, or

(b) that there are other persons having a title to sue the defender in respect of the injuries or death and shall name and design such persons, or

(c) that there are other persons having a title to sue the defender but whose names or whereabouts are to the pursuer unknown and cannot reasonably be ascertained.

(2) The sheriff shall grant warrant for intimation of the action to any person named and designed in the initial writ in terms of sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) hereof and the pursuer shall intimate the action to every such person as nearly as may be in accordance with Form CC as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

(3) The sheriff may, on the motion of a party to the action, orex proprio motu order such advertisement of the action or intimation of it to be made to such persons as he deems appropriate.

Applications to sist as additional pursuer S

146 (1) A person to whom intimation has been made in accordance with rule 145 may apply to the sheriff to be sisted as an additional pursuer in the action and such person shall give notice of his application to all parties to the action.

(2) Where a person to whom intimation has been made in accordance with rule 145 does not apply to be sisted as an additional pursuer in the existing action but subsequently raises a further action against the same defender in respect of the same injuries or death, that person shall not, except on cause shown, be awarded the expenses of the subsequent action.

S INTERIM PAYMENT OF DAMAGES

Applications for interim payment of damages S

147 (1) In any action of damages for personal injuries, the pursuer may at any time after the lodging of defences apply to the sheriff for an order that the defender or, where there are two or more defenders, any one or more of the defenders, make aninterim payment of damages.

(2) An application in terms of paragraph (1) shall be made by motion which shall be served on the defender or defenders on a period of notice of [F128 21] days.

(3) If after hearing the parties on the motion the sheriff is satisfied either—

(a) that the defender or defenders have admitted liability in the pursuer’s action, or

(b) that, if the action proceeded to proof, the pursuer would succeed in the action on the question of liability without any substantial finding of contributory negligence on his part or on the part of any person in respect of whose injury or death the pursuer’s claim arises, and would obtain decree for damages against the defender or, where there are two or more defenders, against any one or more of them,

the sheriff may, if he thinks fit, order the defender or, where there are two or more defenders, any one or more of them, to make aninterim payment to the pursuer of such amount, not exceeding such reasonable proportion of the damages which in the opinion of the sheriff is likely to be recovered by the pursuer, as he deems appropriate.

(4) A payment ordered to be made in terms of paragraph (3) may be ordered to be made in a lump sum or otherwise as the sheriff may deem appropriate.

(5) The sheriff shall not make an order under this rule unless he is satisfied that the defender concerned is either—

(a) a person who is insured in respect of the pursuer’s claim, or

(b) a public authority, or

(c) a person whose means and resources are such as to enable him to make aninterim payment.

(6) Notwithstanding the making or refusal of an order forinterim payment, a second or subsequent application may be made upon cause shown by reason of a change of circumstances.

(7) Subject to the terms of rule 128 or otherwise as the sheriff in his discretion may determine, anyinterim payment shall be made to the pursuer.

(8) The provisions of this rule shall applymutatis mutandis to a counter-claim for damages for personal injury made by a defender.

(9) For the purposes of this rule the term “personal injuries” shall include any disease or any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition.

Textual Amendments

F128 “21” substituted by S.I. 1988/1978, para. 17

Final orders where interim payment made S

148 Where a defender has made aninterim payment in terms of rule 147 the sheriff may, when granting final decree, make such order with respect to theinterim payment as he deems necessary to give effect to the defender’s final liability to the pursuer, and in particular may order—

(a) that the pursuer repay to the defender any sum by which theinterim payment exceeds the amount which the defender is liable to pay to the pursuer, or

(b) that any other defender or third party make payment of any part of theinterim payment which the defender who made it is entitled to recover from that other defender or third party by way of contribution or indemnity or in respect of any remedy or relief relating to or connected with the pursuer’s claim.

S PROVISIONAL DAMAGES

Applications for further awards of damages S

149 An application for a further award of damages in terms of section 12 of the M48 Administration of Justice Act 1982 (award of provisional damages for personal injuries) shall be made by minute in the original process.

Marginal Citations

M48 1982 c.53(122:3).

Valid from 05/04/1993

S [F129 child support act 1991]

Textual Amendments

F129 Rules 150-154 and heading inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, para. 2(2)

F130 Interpretation S

150 In this Part of the Rules–

• “the Act of 1991” means the Child Support Act 1991 F131 ;

  “child” has the meaning assigned in section 55 of the Act of 1991; and

  “crave relating to aliment” means–

  (a)

  for the purposes of rule 151(1), a crave for decree of aliment in relation to a child or for recall or variation of such a decree; and

  (b)

  for the purposes of rule 151(3), a crave for decree of aliment in relation to a child or for the recall or variation of such a decree or for the variation or termination of an agreement on aliment in relation to a child; and

• “maintenance assessment” has the meaning assigned in section 55 of the Act of 1991.

Textual Amendments

F130 Sch. 1, rules 150-154 inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, art. 2(2)

F131 1991 c.48.

F132 Initial writs etc. S

151 (1) An initial writ, minute or counterclaim which contains a crave relating to aliment, and to which section 8(6), (7), (8) or (10) of the Act of 1991 (top up maintenance orders) applies shall–

(a) include an article of condescendence stating, where appropriate–

(i) that a maintenance assessment under section 11 of the Act of 1991 (maintenance assessments); is in force;

(ii) the date of the maintenance assessment;

(iii) the amount and frequency of periodical payments of child support maintenance fixed by the maintenance assessment; and

(iv) the grounds on which the sheriff retains jurisdiction under section 8(6), (7), (8) or (10) of the Act of 1991; and

(b) unless the sheriff on cause shown otherwise directs, be accompanied by any document issued by the Secretary of State to the party intimating the making of the maintenance assessment referred to in paragraph (1)(a) above.

(2) An initial writ, minute or counterclaim which contains a crave relating to aliment, and to which section 8(6), (7), (8) or (10) of the Act of 1991 does not apply, shall include an article of condescendence stating either–

(a) that the habitual residence of the absent parent, person with care or qualifying child, within the meaning of section 3 of the Act of 1991, is outwith the United Kingdom; or

(b) that the child is not a child within the meaning of section 55 of the Act of 1991.

(3) In an action for declarator of non-parentage or illegitimacy–

(a) the initial writ shall include an article of condescendence stating whether the pursuer previously has been alleged to be the parent in an application for a maintenance assessment under sections 4, 6 or 7 of the Act of 1991 (applications for maintenance assessment); and

(b) where an allegation of paternity has been made against the pursuer, the Secretary of State shall be named as a defender in the action and rule 152 shall apply to the award of expenses in any such case.

(4) An initial writ, minute or counterclaim which involves parties in respect of whom a decision has been made in any application, review or appeal under the Act of 1991 relating to any child of those parties, shall–

(a) include an article of condescendence stating that such a decision has been made and giving details of that decision; and

(b) unless the sheriff on cause shown otherwise directs, be accompanied by any document issued by the Secretary of State to the parties intimating that decision.

Textual Amendments

F132 Sch. 1, rules 150-154 inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, art. 2(2)

F133 Restriction of expenses S

152 Where the Secretary of State is named as a defender in an action for declarator of non-parentage or illegitimacy to which rule 151(3) applies, and the Secretary of State does not defend the action, no expenses shall be awarded against the Secretary of State.

Textual Amendments

F133 Sch. 1, rules 150-154 inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, art. 2(2)

Effect of maintenance assessments S

F134 153 The sheriff clerk shall, on receiving notification that a maintenance assessment has been made, cancelled or has ceased to have effect so as to affect an order of a kind prescribed for the purposes of section 10 of the Act of 1991, endorse on the interlocutor sheet relating to that order a certificate, in either Form CSA 1 or CSA 2, as set out in the Appendix to this Schedule.

Textual Amendments

F134 Sch. 1, rules 150-154 inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, art. 2(2)

F135 Effect of maintenance assessments on extracts relating to aliment S

154 (1) Where an order relating to aliment is affected by a maintenance assessment, any extract of that order issued by the sheriff clerk shall be endorsed with the following certificate:–

“A maintenance assessment having been made under the Child Support Act 1991 on (insert date), this order, in so far as it relates to the making or securing of periodical payments to or for the benefit of (insert name(s) of child/children), ceases to have effect from (insert date 2 days after the date on which the maintenance assessment was made).”.

(2) Where an order relating to aliment has ceased to have effect on the making of a maintenance assessment, and that maintenance assessment is later cancelled or ceases to have effect, any extract of that order issued by the sheriff clerk shall be endorsed also with the following certificate:–

“The jurisdiction of the child support officer under the Child Support Act 1991 having terminated on (insert date), this order, in so far as it relates to (insert name(s) of child/children), again shall have effect as of (insert date of termination of child support officer’s jurisdiction).”.

Textual Amendments

F135 Sch. 1, rules 150-154 inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, art. 2(2)

APPENDIX S

FORMS S

Valid from 05/04/1993

[F136 FORM CSA 1 Rule 153 S Certificate relating to the making of a maintenance assessment under the Child Support Act 1991

Textual Amendments

F136 Forms CSA 1,2 in Sch. 1, Appendix inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, rule 3,Sch.

(insert place)(insert date) Notification has been received from the child support officer of the making of a maintenance assessment under the Child Support Act 1991. I certify that the decree or order granted on (insert date) insofar as it relates to the making or securing of periodical payments for (insert name(s) of child/children) ceases to have effect from (insert date, which should be the date 2 days after date on which the maintenance assessment was made). signed(signature of sheriff clerk)]

Valid from 05/04/1993

[FORM CSA 2 Rule 153 S Certificate relating to the cancellation or ceasing to have effect of a maintenance assessment under the Child Support Act 1991

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 Forms CSA 1,2 in Sch. 1, Appendix inserted (5.4.1993) by S.I. 1993/919, rule 3,Sch.

(insert place)(insert date) I certify that notification has been received from the child support officer that the jurisdiction of the child support officer under the Child Support Act 1991 terminated on (insert date of termination of child support officer’s jurisdiction). signed (signature of sheriff clerk)]

F137 F137 SECOND SCHEDULE S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F137 Sch. 2 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1927 (c. 42), Sch. Pt. I