Section 186 – Invalidity and cessation of money attachment
621.This section provides the sheriff with the power to order a money attachment to cease and to return any money attached (or a sum equal to the money’s value if the money has already been realised) to the debtor (or third party owner) where either there was a material irregularity in the execution of the money attachment or the sheriff is satisfied that the money attached did not belong to the debtor.
622.If the sheriff is satisfied that only part of the money attached did not belong to the debtor, the sheriff can order that part to be returned to the third party who does own the money in question. The judicial officer may attach other money owned by the debtor and kept in the place the original attachment was executed.
623.An order can be made on the sheriff’s own initiative (for example, if the report of the money attachment discloses an irregularity or an issue about ownership) or can be applied for by the debtor or a third party. A hearing may be held or representations made prior to an order being made and the sheriff has to provide reasons for making an order (or refusing to do so, if it has been applied for).
