Act of Sederunt (Sheriff Court Rules) (Miscellaneous Amendments) 2009

Made: 18th August 2009

Coming into force in accordance with paragraph 1(1) and (2)

The Lords of Council and Session, under and by virtue of the powers conferred by section32 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971[^f00001] and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, having approved draft rules submitted to them by the Sheriff Court Rules Council in accordance with section34 of the said Act of 1971, do hereby enact and declare:

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1

• (1) This Act of Sederunt may be cited as the Act of Sederunt (Sheriff Court Rules) (Miscellaneous Amendments) 2009 and, subject to subparagraph(2), comes into force on 1stOctober 2009.

• (2) Paragraphs2 to 7 come into force on 1stDecember 2009.

• (3) This Act of Sederunt is to be inserted in the Books of Sederunt.

• (4) In this Act of Sederunt—

• “the 1988 Rules” means the Act of Sederunt (Proceedings in the Sheriff Court under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987) 1988[^f00002];

• “the Ordinary Cause Rules” means the Ordinary Cause Rules in Schedule1 to the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907[^f00003];

• “the Summary Application Rules” means the Act of Sederunt (Summary Applications, Statutory Applications and Appeals etc. Rules) 1999[^f00004];

• “the Summary Cause Rules” means the Summary Cause Rules in Schedule1 to the Act of Sederunt (Summary Cause Rules) 2002[^f00005]; and

• “the Small Claim Rules” means the Small Claim Rules in Schedule1 to the Act of Sederunt (Small Claim Rules) 2002[^f00006].

Time to pay directions and time orders

2

• (1) The Ordinary Cause Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) After rule3.2 (actions relating to heritable property) insert—

(3.2A) In an action which relates to a regulated agreement within the meaning given by section189(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974[^f00007]— (a) the initial writ shall include an averment that such an agreement exists and details of that agreement; and (b) a copy of the regulated agreement shall be attached to the initial writ.

• (3) In rule7.3 (applications for time to pay directions or time orders in undefended causes)—

• (a) after paragraph (2) insert—

(2A) As soon as possible after the application of the defender is lodged, the sheriff clerk shall send a copy of it to the pursuer by first class ordinary post.

; and

• (b) for paragraph(4) substitute—

(4) Where the pursuer objects to the application of the defender made in accordance with paragraph(2) he shall on the same date— (a) complete and lodge with the sheriff clerk FormO3A; (b) minute for decree in accordance with rule7.2; and (c) send a copy of FormO3A to the defender. (4A) The sheriff clerk shall then fix a hearing on the application of the defender and intimate the hearing to the pursuer and the defender. (4B) The hearing must be fixed for a date within 28days of the date on which the FormO3A and the minute for decree are lodged.

• (4) In the Schedule, for FormO3 (form of citation where application for time to pay direction and time order may be made) substitute the forms set out in Schedule1 to this Act of Sederunt.

3

• (1) The Summary Application Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) In rule2.4 (the initial writ)[^f00008], after paragraph(4) insert—

(4A) In an action which relates to a regulated agreement within the meaning given by section189(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974— (a) the initial writ shall include an averment that such an agreement exists and details of the agreement; and (b) a copy of the regulated agreement shall be lodged with the initial writ.

• (3) In rule2.22 (applications for time to pay directions or time orders)—

• (a) in paragraph(2)(b) for “seven” substitute “14”;

• (b) for paragraph (3) substitute—

(3) On lodging an application under paragraph(2)(b), the defender shall send a copy of it to the pursuer by first class ordinary post. (4) Where the pursuer objects to the application of the defender lodged under paragraph(2)(b) he shall— (a) complete and lodge with the sheriff clerk Form5A prior to the date fixed for the hearing of the summary application; and (b) send a copy of that form to the defender. (5) The sheriff clerk shall then fix a hearing in relation to the application under paragraph(2)(b) and intimate the hearing to the pursuer and the defender. (6) The sheriff may determine an application under paragraph(2)(c) without the defender having to appear.

• (4) In Form4 in the Schedule (form of warrant of citation etc.), in paragraph(b), for “seven” substitute “fourteen”.

• (5) For Form5 in the Schedule (form of notice etc.), substitute the forms set out in Schedule2 to this Act of Sederunt.

4

• (1) The Summary Cause Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) After rule4.2 (statement of claim) insert—

(4.2A) In an action which relates to a regulated agreement within the meaning given by section189(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974— (a) the statement of claim shall include an averment that such an agreement exists and details of the agreement; and (b) a copy of the regulated agreement shall be attached to the summons.

• (3) In rule7.2 (application for time to pay direction or time order)—

• (a) after paragraph(1) insert—

(1A) The sheriff clerk must on receipt forthwith intimate to the pursuer a copy of any response lodged under paragraph(1).

• (b) in paragraph(2), for “two days” substitute “9days”; and

• (c) for paragraph(4) substitute—

(4) If the pursuer wishes to oppose the application for a time to pay direction or time order made in accordance with paragraph(1)(a) he must before the time the sheriff clerk’s office closes for business on the day occurring 9days before the calling date— (a) lodge a minute in Form19; and (b) send a copy of that minute to the defender.

• (4) For Form1a (summons) in Appendix1 substitute the form set out in Schedule3 to this Act of Sederunt.

• (5) For Form19 (form of minute) in Appendix1 substitute the form set out in Schedule4 to this Act of Sederunt.

5

• (1) The Small Claim Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) After rule4.2 (statement of claim) insert—

(4.2A) In an action which relates to a regulated agreement within the meaning given by section189(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974— (a) the statement of claim shall include an averment that such an agreement exists and details of the agreement; and (b) a copy of the regulated agreement shall be attached to the summons.

• (3) In rule8.2 (application for time to pay direction or time order)—

• (a) after paragraph(1) insert—

(1A) The sheriff clerk must on receipt forthwith intimate to the pursuer a copy of any response lodged under paragraph(1).

• (b) in paragraph(2) for “two days” substitute “9days”; and

• (c) for paragraph(4) substitute—

(4) If the pursuer wishes to oppose the application for a time to pay direction or time order made in accordance with paragraph(1)(a) he must before the time the sheriff clerk’s office closes for business on the day occurring 9days before the hearing date— (a) lodge a minute in Form13; and (b) send a copy of that minute to the defender.

• (4) For Form1a in Appendix1 (summons) substitute the form set out in Schedule5 to this Act of Sederunt.

• (5) For Form13 in Appendix1 (form of minute) substitute the form set out in Schedule6 to this Act of Sederunt.

6

But the Ordinary Cause Rules, Summary Application Rules, Summary Cause Rules and Small Claim Rules as they applied immediately before 1st December 2009 continue to have effect for the purpose of any application for a time to pay direction or a time order made in connection with an initial writ or summons, as the case may be, lodged before that date.

Return, calling and hearing dates

7

• (1) In rule4.5(7) of the Summary Cause Rules (period of notice), for “seven days” substitute “14days”.

• (2) In rule9.1(3) of the Small Claim Rules (the hearing), for “seven days” substitute “14days”.

• (3) But rule4.5(7) of the Summary Cause Rules and rule9.1(3) of the Small Claim Rules as they applied immediately before 1st December 2009 continue to have effect for the purpose of any summons lodged before that date.

Applications for time to pay orders

8

• (1) The 1988 Rules are amended in accordance with subparagraph(2).

• (2) In Form 2 in the Schedule[^f00009], for the section beginning “The applicant’s financial position is:-” substitute the following section—

[image omitted]

• (3) But the 1988 Rules as they applied immediately before 1st October 2009 continue to have effect for the purpose of any application for a time to pay order made before that date.

Conjoined arrestment orders

9

• (1) The 1988 Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) In Form43 in the Schedule (application for a conjoined arrestment order)[^f00010]—

• (a) in paragraph1, after the entry for “The employer” insert—

• Debtor’s place of employment: (address)

• (b) before the paragraph beginning “The applicant asks the court” insert—

(8) A debt advice and information package was provided to the debtor on (insert date).

• (3) In Form45 in the Schedule (conjoined arrestment order)[^f00011]—

• (a) in the section beginning “SPECIFIES”—

• (i) for “Current maintenance” substitute “Current maintenance debt”; and

• (ii) for “Daily rate” substitute “Daily rate recoverable”;

• (b) for the last sentence of paragraph5 of the “instructions to employer” substitute—

If the debtor ceases to be employed by the employer, the employer must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, notify the sheriff clerk of that fact and, so far as is known to him, of the name and address of any new employer of the debtor.

• (4) In Form46 in the Schedule (notice of service of conjoined arrestment order), for the last sentence of the first paragraph substitute—

If the debtor ceases to be employed by the employer, the employer must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, notify the sheriff clerk of that fact and, so far as is known to him, of the name and address of any new employer of the debtor.

• (5) In Form51 in the Schedule (notice of service of an order varying a conjoined arrestment order), for the last sentence substitute—

If the debtor ceases to be employed by the employer, the employer must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, notify the sheriff clerk of that fact and, so far as is known to him, of the name and address of any new employer of the debtor.

Other minor amendments – diligence

10

• (1) The Ordinary Cause Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) In rule19.2 (warrants for diligence on counterclaims)[^f00012]—

• (a) in paragraph(1), for “arrestment on the dependence” substitute “interim diligence”; and

• (b) omit paragraphs(2) to (4).

• (3) In rule20.3 (warrants for diligence on third party notice)—

• (a) for paragraph(1) substitute—

(1) A defender who applies for an order for service of a third party notice may apply for— (a) a warrant for arrestment to found jurisdiction; (b) a warrant for interim diligence, which would have been permitted had the warrant been sought in an initial writ in a separate action.

• (b) in paragraph(2), for “such a warrant” substitute “a warrant under paragraph(1)(a)”; and

• (c) in paragraph(3), for “paragraph(1)” substitute “paragraph(1)(a)”.

11

• (1) The Summary Cause Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) In rule4.4(4) (authentication and effect of summons)[^f00013], omit the words “on the dependence, or”.

• (3) In rule5.5 (service on persons whose address is unknown), at the beginning insert—

(A1) Subject to rule6.A7, this rule applies to service where the address of a person is not known.

• (4) In rule5.6 (service by post)[^f00014], omit paragraph (A1).

• (5) In rule10.1 (counterclaim)[^f00015]—

• (a) in paragraph(3), for the words from “warrant” to “counterclaim” substitute “warrant for interim diligence in respect of a counterclaim”; and

• (b) omit paragraph(4), (4A), (4B) and (5).

• (6) In rule11.3 (warrants for diligence on third party notice)[^f00016]—

• (a) for paragraph(1) substitute—

(1) A defender who applies for an order for service of a third party notice may apply for— (a) a warrant for arrestment to found jurisdiction; (b) a warrant for interim diligence, which would have been permitted had the warrant been sought in an initial writ in a separate action.

; and

• (b) in paragraph(1A), for “paragraph(1)” substitute “paragraph(1)(a)”.

12

• (1) The Small Claim Rules are amended in accordance with the following subparagraphs.

• (2) In rule4.4(4) (authentication and effect of summons)[^f00017], omit the words “on the dependence, or”.

• (3) In rule11.3 (counterclaim)[^f00018], omit paragraph(3).

13

In rule69E of the 1988 Rules (application for release of property where arrestment unduly harsh)[^f00019], in paragraph(2)(a), omit the words “of the Act”.

Dismissal of actions due to delay

14

After rule15.6 of the Ordinary Cause Rules (motions to sist)[^f00020] insert—

(15.7) (1) Any party to an action may, while that action is depending before the court, apply by written motion for the court to dismiss the action due to inordinate and inexcusable delay by another party or another party’s agent in progressing the action, resulting in unfairness. (2) A motion under paragraph (1) shall— (a) include a statement of the grounds on which it is proposed that the motion should be allowed or as the case may be; and (b) be lodged in accordance with rule15.1. (3) A notice of opposition to the motion in FormG9 shall include a statement of the grounds of opposition to the motion. (4) In determining an application made under this rule, the court may dismiss the action if it appears to the court that— (a) there has been an inordinate and inexcusable delay on the part of any party or any party’s agent in progressing the action; and (b) such delay results in unfairness specific to the factual circumstances, including the procedural circumstances, of that action. (5) In determining whether or not to dismiss an action under paragraph(4), the court shall take account of the procedural consequences, both for the parties and for the work of the court, of allowing the action to proceed.

15

After Chapter22 of the Summary Cause Rules (decree by default) insert—

CHAPTER22A (22A.1) (1) Any party to an action may, while that action is depending before the court, apply by written incidental application to the court to dismiss the action due to inordinate and inexcusable delay by another party or another party’s agent in progressing the action, resulting in unfairness. (2) An application under paragraph(1) shall include a statement of the grounds on which it is proposed that the application should be allowed or as the case may be. (3) In determining an application made under this rule, the court may dismiss the action if it appears to the court that— (a) there has been an inordinate and inexcusable delay on the part of any party or any party’s agent in progressing the action; and (b) such delay results in unfairness specific to the factual circumstances, including the procedural circumstances, of that action. (4) In determining whether or not to dismiss an action under paragraph(3), the court shall take account of the procedural consequences, both for the parties and for the work of the court, of allowing the action to proceed. (5) Rule9.1 shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to an application under paragraph(1).

Insolvency or death of cautioner or guarantor

16

In rule27.8 (insolvency or death of cautioner or guarantor) of the Ordinary Cause Rules, in paragraph(d)(i), for “administration or winding up order” substitute “administration, bank administration or building society special administration order or a winding up, bank insolvency or building society insolvency order”.

Definition of “Her Majesty’s Forces”

17

In rule2.1 (interpretation) of the Act of Sederunt (Child Care and Maintenance Rules) 1997[^f00021], for the definition of “Her Majesty’s Forces” substitute—

• “Her Majesty’s Forces” means the regular forces as defined in section374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006[^f00022]; and

Counter-Terrorism Act 2008: foreign travel restriction orders

18

After PartXXXVII (Employment Tribunals Act 1996) of the Summary Application Rules[^f00023], insert—

(3.38) (1) Where an application under paragraph9 of Schedule5 to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008[^f00024] for an order varying, renewing or discharging a foreign travel restriction order is made in a sheriff court other than the sheriff court in which the process relating to the foreign travel restriction order is held— (a) the initial writ containing the application shall contain averments as to the sheriff court in which the process relating to the foreign travel restriction order is held; (b) the sheriff clerk with whom the application is lodged shall notify the sheriff clerk of the sheriff court in which the process relating to the foreign travel restriction order is held; and (c) the sheriff clerk of the sheriff court in which the process relating to the foreign travel restriction order is held shall, not later than 4days after receipt of such notification, transfer the process relating to the foreign travel restriction order to the sheriff clerk of the sheriff court in which the application is made. (2) For the purposes of paragraph(1), the sheriff court in which the process relating to the order is held is the sheriff court in which the foreign travel restriction order was granted or, where the process has been transferred under that paragraph, the last sheriff court to which the process has been transferred. (3) A failure of the sheriff clerk to comply with paragraph(1) shall not invalidate the application.

SCHEDULE 1

SCHEDULE 2

SCHEDULE 3

Rule4.3(a)

SCHEDULE 4

SCHEDULE 5

Rule 4.3(a)

SCHEDULE 6

Rule8.2(4)

Signed

A.C. HAMILTON — Lord President — I.P.D. — 18th August 2009

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Act of Sederunt)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Act of Sederunt makes various amendments to the Ordinary Cause Rules, the Summary Application Rules, the Summary Cause Rules, the Small Claim Rules and the 1988 Rules.

Paragraphs2 to 6 amend the rules in relation to applications for time to pay directions and time orders by:

• (a) inserting a new rule3.2A into the Ordinary Cause Rules which requires, in actions relating to regulated agreements under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, that the initial writ includes a specific averment that such an agreement exists and details of the agreement (paragraph2(2));

• (b) providing in the Ordinary Cause Rules and Summary Application Rules for intimation of a copy of an application for a time to pay direction or time order to the pursuer and for a form of response where the pursuer applies for a time to pay direction or a time order (paragraphs2(3) and 3(3));

• (c) providing in each set of Rules for separate forms of application for time to pay directions and time orders (paragraphs2(4), 3(3), 4(4) and 5(4);

• (d) amending rule2.22(2) of the Summary Application Rules to increase the period for lodging an application for a time to pay direction or time order from 7 to 14days before the diet fixed for the hearing of the summary application or the expiry of the period of notice (paragraph3(3));

• (e) inserting new provision into the Summary Cause Rules and Small Claim Rules to require the sheriff clerk to intimate a copy of an application for a time to pay direction or time order to the pursuer and to increase the period for the pursuer lodging his response to such an application from 2 to 9days before the calling date (paragraphs4(3) and 5(3));

• (f) substituting in the Summary Cause Rules and Small Claim Rules new forms1a (summons) providing more detailed guidance in the defender’s copy summons in relation to applying for time to pay directions and time orders (paragraphs4(4) and 5(4));

• (g) substituting in the Summary Cause and Small Claim Rules a new form of minute for a pursuer opposing an application for a time to pay direction or a time order (paragraphs4(5) and 5(5)).

Paragraph7 amends the period between the return day and calling date in summary cause actions and between the return day and hearing date in small claim actions from 7 to 14days.

Paragraph8 updates Form2 in the 1988 Rules (form of application for a time to pay order).

Paragraph9(2) amends Form43 in those Rules (application for a conjoined arrestment order) to provide for details of the debtor’s place of employment to be given and for an averment that the debtor was given a debt advice and information package. Paragraph9(3) to (5) amends Forms45 (conjoined arrestment order), 46 (notice of service of conjoined arrestment order) and 51 (notice of service of an order varying a conjoined arrestment order) to provide instructions to the employer to notify the sheriff clerk if the debtor ceases to be employed by him and to provide details of the new employer, if known.

Paragraphs10 to 13 make other minor amendments to the Ordinary Cause, Summary Cause, Small Claim Rules and the 1988 Rules.

Paragraphs14 and 15 insert rules into the Ordinary Cause Rules and the Summary Cause Rules setting out procedure for the dismissal of actions due to delay on the part of another party in progressing the action. Such applications are made by motion in actions proceeding under the Ordinary Cause Rules and by incidental application in actions proceeding under the Summary Cause Rules. Provision is made for the other party to lodge a notice of opposition to the motion or application. The court may dismiss the action if it considers that the delay has been inordinate or inexcusable and has resulted in unfairness.

Paragraph16 amends a rule in the Ordinary Cause Rules regarding the insolvency or death of a cautioner or guarantor, to reflect the introduction of powers under the Banking Act 2009 to obtain orders in respect of failing banks or building societies.

Paragraph17 amends the definition of “Her Majesty’s Forces” in Chapter2 of the Child Care and Maintenance Rules 1997 in consequence of the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Paragraph18 inserts a new PartXXXVIII into Chapter3 of the Summary Application Rules. This new Part provides a new rule3.38 relating to applications to the sheriff for variation, renewal or recall of foreign travel restriction orders under Schedule5 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1971 c.58; section32 was amended by the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 (c.73), Schedule2, paragraph12, the Civil Evidence (Scotland) Act 1988 (c.32), section2(4), the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.36), Schedule4, paragraph18(2), the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp4), Schedule5, paragraph13 and the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp17), section43, and was extended by the Child Support Act 1991 (c.48), sections39(2) and 49, the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp3), section14(2) and the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp3), section33.

[^f00002]: S.I. 1988/2013, amended by S.I. 1991/1920, 1993/920, 1994/3086, 1995/1876, 1996/2709, 1999/1820 and S.S.I. 2002/560 and 2008/121.

[^f00003]: 1907 c.51. Schedule1 was substituted by S.I. 1993/1956 and amended by S.I. 1996/2167 and 2445, S.S.I. 2000/239 and 408, 2001/8 and 144, 2002/7, 128 and 560, 2003/25 and 26, 2004/197 and 350, 2005/20, 189, 638 and 648 and 2006/198 and 207, 293, 410 and 509, 2007/6, 339, 440 and 463, 2008/121, 223 and 365 and 2009/107, 164, 284 and 285.

[^f00004]: S.S.I. 1999/929, amended by S.S.I. 2000/18 and 387, 2001/142, 2002/7, 129, 130, 146 and 563, 2003/26, 98, 261, 319, 346 and 556, 2004/197, 222, 334 and 455, 2005/61, 473, 504 and 648, 2006/198, 410, 437 and 509, 2007/6, 233, 339, 440 and 463, 2008/9, 41, 111, 223, 335 and 365 and 2009/107.

[^f00005]: S.S.I. 2002/132, amended by S.S.I. 2002/516, 2003/26, 2004/197, 2005/648, 2006/509, 2007/6, 339, 440 and 463, 2008/121, 223 and 365 and 2009/107.

[^f00006]: S.S.I. 2002/133, amended by S.S.I. 2003/26 and 601, 2004/197, 2005/648, 2006/509, 2007/6, 339, 440 and 463, 2008/121, 223 and 365 and 2009/107.

[^f00007]: 1974 c.39.

[^f00008]: Rule2.4 was amended by S.S.I. 2004/197.

[^f00009]: Form2 was amended by S.S.I. 2002/560 and 2008/121.

[^f00010]: Form43 was amended by S.S.I. 2002/560.

[^f00011]: Form45 was amended by S.I. 1993/920 and S.S.I. 2008/121.

[^f00012]: Rule19.2 was amended by S.I. 1996/2445 and S.S.I. 2004/197.

[^f00013]: Rule4.4(4) was inserted by S.S.I. 2004/197.

[^f00014]: Rule5.6(A1) was inserted by S.S.I. 2008/121.

[^f00015]: Rule10.1 was amended by S.S.I. 2004/197.

[^f00016]: Rule11.3 was amended by S.S.I. 2004/197.

[^f00017]: Rule4.4(4) was inserted by S.S.I. 2004/197.

[^f00018]: Rule11.1 was amended by S.S.I. 2004/197.

[^f00019]: Rule69E was inserted by S.S.I. 2009.107.

[^f00020]: Rule15.6 was inserted by S.S.I. 2000/239.

[^f00021]: S.S.I. 1997/291. Rule2.1 was amended by S.S.I. 2006/411.

[^f00022]: 2006 c.52.

[^f00023]: Part XXXVII was inserted by S.S.I. 2009/109.

[^f00024]: 2008 c.28.