Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011

Commentary on Sections

Part 10 – Proceedings before Sheriff

Review of sheriff’s determination

Section 116 – Recall: powers where no grounds accepted or established

170.This section applies where the sheriff makes an order under section 114(3) recalling the grounds determination and no other grounds for referral specified in the statement of grounds which gave rise to the grounds determination are accepted or established. Subsection (2) provides a duty on the sheriff to refer the child’s case back to the Children’s Hearing to review the compulsory supervision order that was in force at the time of the grounds determination by the sheriff. This applies where a child was already subject to a compulsory supervision order and the reporter referred new grounds for consideration by the Children’s Hearing.

171.Subsection (3) provides that the sheriff must terminate any compulsory supervision order that is in force and consider whether the person, if still a child, requires any supervision or guidance. Subsection (4) provides that, where the person is still a child, and the sheriff considers that the child requires supervision or guidance, then the sheriff must order the local authority to provide that supervision or guidance. Subsection (5) places a duty on the local authority to comply with the sheriff’s order. The duty on the local authority extends to supervision and guidance that the child will accept. The supervision or guidance is voluntary and cannot be enforced upon the child.