Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session 1994 Amendment No.2) (Human Fertilisation and Embryology) (Parental Orders) 1994

Appointment of reporting officer and curatorad litem

81.10.—(1) On presentation of the petition, the court shall appoint–

(a) a reporting officer; and

(b) a curatorad litemwhere it appears desirable in order to safeguard the interests of the child.

(2) Where a curatorad litemis appointed under paragraph (1) and is not also the reporting officer, the court may order the reporting officer to make available to the curatorad litemany report or information in relation to the child.

(3) A married couple may, before presenting the petition, apply by letter to the Deputy Principal Clerk for the appointment of a reporting officer.

(4) An application under paragraph (3) shall–

(a) set out the reasons for which the appointment is sought;

(b) not require to be intimated to any person;

(c) be accompanied by an interlocutor sheet; and

(d) be placed by the Deputy Principal Clerk before the Lord Ordinary for his decision.

(5) The Deputy Principal Clerk shall give written intimation to the applicant under paragraph (3) of the decision of the Lord Ordinary.

(6) The decision of the Lord Ordinary on an application under paragraph (3) shall be final and not subject to review.

(7) The letter and the interlocutor sheet in an application under paragraph (3) shall be kept in the Petition Department and subsequently placed in the process of the petition.