Section 46 –Divisions of the Inner House
94.This section provides for the quorum of a Division of the Inner House considering solely procedural matters to be set by act of sederunt. It does so by inserting a new act of sederunt making power regarding quorum in section 5(ba) of the 1988 Act. This is intended to provide the Court of Session with a flexible power to make provision for the quorum of judges where a Division is dealing only with procedural matters. For example, the quorum may be reduced to 1 judge when dealing with only procedural matters. There is a consequential amendment to section 2(3) of the 1988 Act to remove a reference to an extra Division being composed of 3 judges. In addition, provision regarding which judge should preside over an extra Division, and sign its judgments and interlocutors, has been shifted from section 2(3) to the new section 5(ba) power.
