Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

PART IS GENERAL PROVISIONS

Intepretation of this ChapterS

33.1.(1)In this Chapter, “family action” means—

(a)an action of divorce;

(b)an action of separation;

(c)an action of declarator of legitimacy;

(d)an action of declarator of illegitimacy;

(e)an action of declarator of parentage;

(f)an action of declarator of non-parentage;

(g)an action of declarator of legitimation;

(h)an action or application for any parental rights;

(i)an action of affiliation and aliment;

(j)an action of, or application for or in respect of, aliment;

(k)an action or application for financial provision after a divorce or annulment in an overseas country within the meaning of Part IV of the Martimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 F1;

(l)an action or application for an order under the Act of 1981;

(m)an application for the variation or recall of an order mentioned in section 8(1) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1966 F2.

(2)In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires—

• “the Act of 1975” means the Children Act 1975 F3;

• “the Act of 1976” means the Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976 F4;

• “the Act of 1981” means the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 F5;

• “the Act of 1985” means the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 F6;

• “child” means a person under the age of 16 years;

• “local authority” means a regional or islands council;

• “mental disorder” means mental illness or mental handicap however cased or manifested;

• “order for financial provision” means, except in Part VII of this Chapter (financial provision after overseas divorce or annulment), an order mentioned in section 8(1) of the Act of 1985;

• “parental rights” has the meaning assigned in section 8 of the Law Reform (Parent and Child) (Scotland) Act 1986 F7.

(3)For the purposes of rules 33.2 (averments in actions of divorce or separation about other proceed ings) and 33.3 (averments where custody sought) and, in relation to proceedings in another jurisdiction, Schedule 3 to the Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973 F8 (sisting of consistorial actions in Scotland), proceedings are continuing at any time after they have commenced and before they are finally disposed of.

Averments in actions of divorce or separation about other proceedingsS

33.2.(1)This rule applies to an action of divorce or separation.

(2)In an action to which this rule applies, the pursuer shall state in the condescendence of the initial writ—

(a)whether to his knowledge any proceedings are continuing in Scotland or in any other country in respect of the marriage to which the initial writ relates or are capable of affecting its validity or subsistence; and

(b)where such proceedings are continuing—

(i)the court, tribunal or authority before which the proceedings have been commenced;

(ii)the date of commencement;

(iii)the names of the parties;

(iv)the date, or expected date of any proof (or its equivalent) in the proceedings; and

(v)such other facts as may be relevant to the question of whether or not the action before the sheriff should be sisted under Schedule 3 to the Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973.

(3)Where—

(a)such proceedings are continuing;

(b)the action before the sheriff is defended; and

(c)either—

(i)the initial writ does not contain the statement referred to in paragraph (2)(a), or

(ii)the particulars mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) as set out in the initial writ are incomplete or incorrect,

any defences or minute, as the case may be, lodged by any person to the action shall include that statement and, where appropriate, the further or correct particulars mentioned in paragraph (2)(b).

Averments where custody soughtS

33.3.(1)A party to a family action, who makes an application in that action for a custody order (within the meaning assigned in section 1(1)(b) of the Family Law Act 1986 F9 in respect of a child shall include in his pleadings—

(a)where that action is an action of divorce or separation, averments giving particulars of any other proceedings known to him, whether in Scotland or elsewhere and whether concluded or not, which relate to the child in respect of whom the custody order is sought;

(b)in any other family action—

(i)the averments mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(ii)averments giving particulars of any proceedings known to him which are continuing, whether in Scotland or elsewhere, and which relate to the marriage of the parents of that child.

(2)Where such other proceedings are continuing or have taken place and the averments of the applicant for such a custody order—

(a)do not contain particulars of the other proceedings, or

(b)contain particulars which are incomplete or incorrect,

any defences or minute, as the case may be, lodged by any person to the family action shall include such particulars or such further or correct particulars as are known to him.

(3)In paragraph 1(b)(ii), “child” includes a child of the family within the meaning assigned in section 42(4) of the Family Law Act 1986.

Averments where identity or address of person not knownS

33.4.In a family action, where the identity or address of any person referred to in rule 33.7 as a person in respect of whom a warrant for intimation requires to be applied for is not known and cannot reasonably be ascertained, the party required to apply for the warrant shall include in his pleadings an averment of that fact and averments setting out what steps have been taken to ascertain the identity or address, as the case may be, of that person.

Averments about maintenance ordersS

33.5.In a family action in which an order for aliment or periodical allowance is sought, or is sought to be varied or recalled, by any party, the pleadings of that party shall contain an averment stating whether and, if so, when and by whom, a maintenance order (within the meaning of section 106 of the M1Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987) has been granted in favour of or against that party or of any other person in respect of whom the order is sought.

Averments where aliment or financial provision soughtS

33.6.(1)In this rule—

• “the Act of 1991” means the M2Child Support Act 1991;

• “child” has the meaning assigned in section 55 of the Act of 1991;

• “crave relating to aliment” means—

  (a)

  for the purposes of paragraph (2), a crave for decree of aliment in relation to a child or for recall or variation of such a decree; and

  (b)

  for the purposes of paragraph (3), a crave for decree of aliment in relation to a child or for recall or variation of such a decree or for the variation or termination of an agreement on aliment in relation to a child;

• “maintenance assessment” has the meaning assigned in section 55 of the Act of 1991.

(2)A family action containing a crave relating to aliment and to which section 8(6), (7), (8) or (10) of the Act of 1991 (top up maintenance orders) applies shall—

(a)include averments stating, where appropriate—

(i)that a maintenance assessment under section 11 of that Act (maintenance assessments) is in force;

(ii)the date of the maintenance assessment;

(iii)the amount and frequency of periodical payments of child support maintenance fixed by the maintenance assessment; and

(iv)the grounds on which the sheriff retains jurisdiction under section 8(6), (7), (8) or (10) of that Act; and

(b)unless the sheriff on cause shown otherwise directs, be accompanied by any document issued by the Secretary of State to the party intimating the making of the maintenance assessment referred to in sub-paragraph (a).

(3)A family action containing a crave relating to aliment, and to which section 8(6), (7), (8) or (10) of the Act of 1991 does not apply, shall include averments stating—

(a)that the habitual residence of the absent parent, person with care or qualifying child, within the meaning of section 3 of that Act, is furth of the United Kingdom;

(b)that the child is not a child within the meaning of section 55 of that Act; or

(c)where the action is lodged for warranting before 7th April 1997, the grounds on which the sheriff retains jurisdiction.

(4)In an action for declarator of non-parentage or illegitimacy—

(a)the initial writ shall include an article of condescendence stating whether the pursuer previously has been alleged to be the parent in an application for a maintenance assessment under section 4, 6 or 7 of the Act of 1991 (applications for maintenance assessment); and

(b)where an allegation of paternity has been made against the pursuer, the Secretary of State shall be named as a defender in the action.

(5)A family action involving parties in respect of whom a decision has been made in any application, review or appeal under the Act of 1991 relating to any child of those parties, shall—

(a)include averments stating that such a decision has been made and giving details of that decision; and

(b)unless the sheriff on cause shown otherwise directs, be accompanied by any document issued by the Secretary of State to the parties intimating that decision.

Warrants and forms for intimationS

33.7.(1)In the initial writ in a family action, the pursuer shall include a crave for a warrant for intimation—

(a)in an action where the address of the defender is not known to the pursuer and cannot reasonably be ascertained, to—

(i)every child of the marriage between the parties who has reached the age of 16 years, and

(ii)one of the next-of-kin of the defender who has reached that age,

unless the address of such a person is not known to the pursuer and cannot reasonably be ascertained, and a notice of intimation in Form F1 shall be attached to the copy of the initial writ intimated to any such person;

(b)in an action where the pursuer alleges that the defender has committed adultery with another person, to that person, unless—

(i)that person is not named in the initial writ and, if the adultery is relied on for the purposes of section 1(2)(a) of the Act of 1976 (irretrievable breakdown of marriage by reason of adultery), the initial writ contains an averment that his or her identity is not known to the pursuer and cannot reasonably be ascertained, or

(ii)the pursuer alleges that the defender has been guilty of rape upon or incest with, that named person,

and a notice of intimation in Form F2 shall be attached to the copy of the initial writ intimated to any such person;

(c)in an action where the defender is a person who is suffering from a mental disorder, to—

(i)those persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i) an (ii), unless the address of such person is not known to the pursuer and cannot reasonably be ascertained, and

(ii)the curator bonis to the defender, if one has been appointed,

and a notice of intimation in Form F3 shall be attached to the copy of the initial writ intimated to any such person;

(d)in an action relating to a marriage which was entered into under a law which permits polygamy where—

(i)one of the decrees specified in section 2(2) of the Matrimonial Proceedings (Polygamous Marriages) Act 1972 F10 is sought, and

(ii)either party to the marriage in question has any spouse additional to the other party,

to any such additional spouse, and a notice of intimation in Form F4 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to any such person;

(e)in an action of divorce or separation where the sheriff may make an order for any parental rights in respect of a child—

(i)who is in the care of a local authority, to that authority and a notice of intimation in Form F5 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to that authority;

(ii)who, being a child of one party to the marriage, has been accepted as a child of the family by the other party to the marriage and who is liable to be maintained by a third party, to that third party, and a notice of intimation in Form F5 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to that third party; or

(iii)in respect of whom a third party exercises such rights de facto, to that third party, and a notice of intimation in Form F6 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to that third party;

(f)in an action where the pursuer craves the custody of a child, to any parent or guardian of the child who is not a party to the action, and a notice of intimation in Form F7 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to any such parent or guardian;

(g)in an action where the pursuer craves the custody of a child and he is—

(i)not a parent of that child, and

(ii)resident in Scotland when the initial writ is lodged,

to the local authority within which area the pursuer resides, and a notice of intimation in Form F8 shall be attached to the intitial writ intimated to that authority;

(h)in an action which affects a child, to that child if not a party to the action, and a notice of intimation in Form F9 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to that child;

(i)in an action where the pursuer makes an application for an order under section 8(1)(aa) of the Act of 1985 F11 (transfer of property) and—

(i)the consent of a third party to such a transfer is necessary by virtue of an obligation, enactment or rule of law, or

(ii)the property is subject to a security,

to the third party or creditor, as the case may be, and a notice of intimation in Form F10 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to any such person;

(j)in an action where the pursuer makes an application for an order under section 18 of the Act of 1985 (which relates to avoidance transactions), to—

(i)any third party in whose favour the transfer of, or transaction involving, the property is to be or was made, and

(ii)any other person having an interest in the transfer of, or transaction involving, the property,

and a notice of intimation in Form F11 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to any such person; and

(k)in an action where the pursuer makes an application for an order under the Act of 1981 F12—

(i)where he is a non-entitled partner and the entitled partner has a spouse, to that spouse, or

(ii)where the application is under section 2(1)(e), 2(4)(a), 3(1), 3(2), 4, 7, 13 or 18 of that Act, and the entitled spouse or entitled partner is a tenant or occupies the matrimonial home by permission of a third party, to the landlord or the third party, as the case may be,

and a notice of intimation in Form F12 shall be attached to the initial writ intimated to any such person.

(2)Expressions used in paragraph (1)(k) which are also used in the Act of 1981 have the same meaning as in that Act.

(3)A notice of intimation under paragraph (1) shall be on a period of notice of 21 days unless the sheriff otherwise orders; but the sheriff shall not order a period of notice of less than 2 days.

(4)In a family action, where the pursuer—

(a)craves for the custody of a child, and

(b)is not resident in Scotland when the initial writ is lodged for warranting,

he shall include a crave for an order for intimation in form F8 to such local authority as the sheriff thinks fit.

(5)Where the address of a person mentioned in paragraph (1)(b), (d), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j) or (k) is not known and cannot reasonably be ascertained, the pursuer shall include a crave in the initial writ to dispense with intimation; and the sheriff may grant that crave or make such other order as he thinks fit.

(6)Where the identity or address of a person to whom intimation of a family action is required becomes known during the course of the action, the party who would have been required to insert a warrant for intimation to that person shall lodge a motion for a warrant for intimation to that person or to dispense with such intimation.

Intimation where improper associationS

33.8.(1)In a family action where the pursuer alleges an improper association between the defender and another named person, the pursuer shall, immediately after the expiry of the period of notice, lodge a motion for an order for intimation to that person or to dispense with such intimation

(2)In determining a motion under paragraph (1), the sheriff may—

(a)make such order for intimation as he thinks fit; or

(b)dispense with intimation; and

(c)where he dispenses with intimation, order that the name of that person be deleted from the condescendence of the initial writ.

(3)Where intimation is ordered under paragraph (2), a copy of the initial writ and an intimation in Form F13 shall be intimated to the named person.

(4)In paragraph (1), “improper association” means sodomy, incest or any homosexual relationship.

Productions in action of divorce or where order for custody may be madeS

33.9.Unless the sheriff otherwise directs—

(a)in an action of divorce, a warrant for citation shall not be granted without there being produced with the initial writ an extract of the relevant entry in the register of marriages or an equivalent document; and

(b)in an action where the sheriff may make an order in respect of the custody of a child, a warrant for citation shall not be granted without there being produced with the initial writ an extract of the relevant entry in the register of births or an equivalent document.

Warrant of citationS

33.10.The warrant of citation in a family action shall be in Form F14.

Form of citation and certificateS

33.11.(1)Subject to rule 5.6 (service where address of person is not known), citation of a defender shall be in Form F15, which shall be attached to a copy of the initial writ and warrant of citation and shall have appended to it a notice of intention to defend in Form F26.

(2)The certificate of citation shall be in Form F16 which shall be attached to the initial writ.

Execution of service on, or intimation to, local authorityS

33.12.(1)Where a local authority referred to in rule 33.7(1)(g) (custody sought by non-parent resident in Scotland) or 33.7(4) (custody sought by pursuer not resident in Scotland) is named as a defender in an initial writ at the time it is lodged, service of the initial writ on that local authority shall be executed within 7 days after the date of granting of the warrant of citation.

(2)Where in a family action—

(a)to which rule 33.7(1)(g) applies, or

(b)in which a motion under rule 33.7(4) is required,

the local authority referred to in that provision is named as a defender in the initial writ at the time it is lodged, a notice in Form F8 shall be attached to the copy of the initial writ served on that local authority.

(3)Where, by virtue of rule 33.7(1)(g), 33.7(4) or 33.15(2), intimation of an application for custody is to be made to a local authority, intimation to that local authority shall be given within 7 days after the date on which a warrant of citation, or an order for intimation, as the case may be, has been granted.

Service in cases of mental disorder of defenderS

33.13.(1)In a family action where the defender suffers or appears to suffer from mental disorder and is resident in a hospital or other similar institution, citation shall be executed by registered post or the first class recorded delivery service addressed to the medical officer in charge of that hospital or institution; and there shall be included with the copy of the initial writ—

(a)a citation in Form F15;

(b)any notice required by rule 33.14(1);

(c)a request in Form F17;

(d)a form of certificate in Form F18 requesting the medical officer to—

(i)deliver and explain the initial writ, citation and any notice or form of notice of consent required under rule 33.14(1) personally to the defender; or

(ii)certify that such delivery or explanation would be dangerous to the health or mental condition of the defender; and

(e)a stamped envelope addressed for return of that certificate to the pursuer or his solicitor, if he has one.

(2)The medical officer referred to in paragraph (1) shall send the certificate in Form F18 duly completed to the pursuer or his solicitor, as the case may be.

(3)The certificate mentioned in paragraph (2) shall be attached to the certificate of citation.

(4)Where such a certificate bears that the initial writ has not been delivered to the defender, the sheriff may, at any time before decree—

(a)order such further medical inquiry, and

(b)make such order for further service or intimation,

as he thinks fit.

Notices in certain actions of divorce or separationS

33.14.(1)In the following actions of divorce or separation there shall be attached to the copy of the initial writ served on the defender—

(a)in an action relying on section 1(2)(d) of the Act of 1976 F13 (no cohabitation for two years with consent of defender to decree)—

(i)which is an action of divorce, a notice in form F19 and a notice of consent in form F20;

(ii)which is an action of separation, a notice in Form F21 and a form of notice of consent in form F22;

(b)in an action relying on section 1(2)(e) of the Act of 1976 (no cohabitation for five years)—

(i)which is an action of divorce, a notice in Form F23;

(ii)which is an action of separation, a notice in Form F24.

(2)The certificate of service of an initial writ in an action mentioned in paragraph (1) shall state which notice or form mentioned in paragraph (1) has been attached to the initial writ.

Orders for intimation by sheriffS

[33.15.(1)In any family action, the sheriff may order intimation to be made to such person as he thinks fit.

(2)Where a party makes an application or averment in a family action which, had it been made in an initial writ, would have required a warrant for intimation under rule 33.7, that party shall lodge a motion for a warrant for intimation or to dispense with such intimation.]

Appointment of curators ad litem to defendersS

33.16.(1)This rule applies to an action of divorce or separation where it appears to the court that the defender is suffering from a mental disorder.

(2)In an action to which this rule applies, the sheriff shall—

(a)appoint a curator ad litem to the defender;

(b)where the facts set out in section 1(2)(d) of the Act of 1976 (no cohabitation for two years with consent of defender to decree) are relied on—

(i)make an order for intimation of the ground of the action to the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland; and

(ii)include in such an order a requirement that the Commission sends to the sheriff clerk a report indicating whether in its opinion the defender is capable of deciding whether or not to give consent to the granting of decree.

(3)Within 7 days after the appointment of a curator ad litem under paragraph (2)(a), the pursuer shall send to him—

(a)a copy of the initial writ and any defences (including any adjustments and amendments) lodged; and

(b)a copy of the notice in Form G5 sent to him by the sherrif clerk.

(4)On receipt of a report required under paragraph (2)(b)(ii), the sheriff clerk shall—

(a)lodge the report in process; and

(b)intimate that this has been done to—

(i)the pursuer;

(ii)the solicitor for the defender, if known; and

(iii)the curator ad litem.

(5)The curator ad litem shall lodge in process one of the writs mentioned in paragraph (6)—

(a)within 14 days after the report required under paragraph (2)(b)(ii) has been lodged in process; or

(b)where no such report is required, within 21 days after the date of his appointment under paragraph (2)(a).

(6)The writs referred to in paragraph (5) are—

(a)a notice of intention to defend;

(b)defences to the action;

(c)a minute adopting defences already lodged; and

(d)a minute stating that the curator ad litem does not intend to lodge defences.

(7)Notwithstanding that he has lodged a minute stating that he does not intend to lodge defences, a curator ad litem may appear at any stage of the action to protect the interests of the defender.

(8)If, at any time, it appears to the curator ad litem that the defender is not suffering from mental disorder, he may report that fact to the court and seek his own discharge.

(9)The pursuer shall be responsible, in the first instance, for payment of the fees and outlays of the curator ad litem incurred during the period from his appointment until—

(a)he lodges a minute stating that he does not intend to lodge defences;

(b)he decides to instruct the lodging of defences or a minute adopting defences already lodged; or

(c)being satisfied after investigation that the defender is not suffering from mental disorder, he is discharged.

Applications for sistS

33.17.An application for a sist, or the recall of a sist, under Schedule 3 to the M3Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973 shall be made by written motion.

Notices of consent to divorce or separationS

33.18.(1)Where, in an action of divorce or separation in which the facts in section 1(2)(d) of the Act of 1976 (no cohabitation for two years with consent of defender to decree) are relied on, the defender wishes to consent to the grant of decree of divorce or separation he shall do so by giving notice in writing in Form F20 (divorce) or Form F22 (separation), as the case may be, to the sheriff clerk.

(2)The evidence of one witness shall be sufficient for the purpose of establishing that the signature on a notice of consent under paragraph (1) is that of the defender.

(3)In an action of divorce or separation where the initial writ includes, for the purposes of section 1(2)(d) of the Act of 1976, an averment that the defender consents to the grant of decree, the defender may give notice by letter sent to the sheriff clerk stating that he has not so consented or that he withdraws any consent which he has already given.

(4)On receipt of a letter under paragraph (3), the sheriff clerk shall intimate the terms of the letter to the pursuer.

(5)On receipt of any intimation under paragraph (4), the pursuer may, within 14 days after the date of the intimation, if none of the other facts mentioned in section 1(2) of the Act of 1976 is averred in the initial writ, lodge a motion for the action to be sisted.

(6)If no such motion is lodged, the pursuer shall be deemed to have abandoned the action and the action shall be dismissed.

(7)If a motion under paragraph (5) is granted and the sist is not recalled or renewed within a period of 6 months from the date of the interlocutor granting the sist, the pursuer shall be deemed to have abandoned the action and the action shall be dismissed.

Consents to grant of custodyS

[33.19.(1)Where a party who requires a consent under section 47(2) of the Act of 1975 F14 to the grant of custody, executes service on, or gives intimation to, a person who may give such consent, he shall—

(a)include with the copy of the initial writ or other pleadings, as the case may be—

(i)a notice in Form F7; and

(ii)a form of notice of consent in Form F25; and

(b)in the certificate of service or intimation, as the case may be, state expressly that such notice and form of notice of consent was included.

(2)Where a parent or guardian wishes to consent to the grant of an application for custody, he shall—

(i)complete and sign the notice of consent in Form F25;

(ii)have his signature witnessed; and

(iii)send the notice of consent to the sheriff clerk.

(3)Where a person, who has consented under paragraph (2) to the grant of such an application, wishes to withdraw that consent, he shall give notice by letter sent to the sheriff clerk stating that he withdraws his consent.

(4)On receipt of a letter under paragraph (3), the sheriff clerk shall intimate the terms of the letter to the applicant and to every other party.]

Reports by local authorities under section 49(2) of the Act of 1975S

33.20.(1)On completion of a report made under section 49(2) of the Act of 1975 (reports by local authority on child in certain custody applications), the local authority shall—

(a)send the report, with a copy for each party, to the sheriff clerk; and

(b)where a curator ad litem has been appointed to the child in respect of whom the application for custody has been made, send a copy of the report to him.

(2)On receipt of such a report, the sheriff clerk shall send a copy of the report to each party.

(3)Where intimation is given to a local authority under rule 33.7(1)(g) or (4) for the purposes of section 49(2) of the Act of 1975, an application for the custody of the child shall not be determined until the report of the local authority has been lodged.

(4)When disposing of an application for custody, the sheriff shall determine which party or parties are to be liable for the expenses of the local authority incurred in the preparation of any report made under section 49(2) of the Act of 1975.

Appointment of local authority or reporter to report on a childS

33.21.(1)This rule applies where, at any stage of a family action, the sheriff appoints—

(a)a local authority under section 11(1) of the Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act 1958 F15 or section 12(2)(a) of the Guardianship Act 1973 F16 (which both relate to a report on a child with respect to custody, or

(b)another person (referred to in this rule as a “reporter”), whether under a provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or otherwise,

to investigate and report to the court on the circumstances of a child and on proposed arrangements for the care and upbringing of the child.

(2)On making an appointment referred to in paragraph (1), the sheriff shall direct that the party who sought the appointment or, where the court makes the appointment of its own motion, the pursuer or minuter, as the case may be, shall—

(a)instruct the local authority or reporter; and

(b)be responsible, in the first instance, for the fees and outlays of the local authority or reporter appointed.

(3)Where a local authority or reporter is appointed—

(a)the party who sought the appointment, or

(b)where the sheriff makes the appointment of his own motion, the pursuer or minuter, as the case may be,

shall, within 7 days after the date of the appointment, intimate the name and address of the local authority or reporter to any local authority to which intimation of the family action has been made.

(4)On completion of a report referred to in paragraph (1), the local authority or reporter, as the case may be, shall send the report, with a copy of it for each party, to the sheriff clerk.

(5)On receipt of such a report, the sheriff clerk shall send a copy of the report to each party.

(6)Where a local authority or reporter has been appointed to investigate and report in respect of a child, an application for the custody of that child shall not be determined until the report of the local authority or reporter, as the case may be, has been lodged.

Referral to family mediation and conciliation serviceS

[33.22.In any family action in which the custody of, or access to, a child is in dispute, the sheriff may, at any stage of the action, where he considers it appropriate to do so, refer that dispute to a specified family mediation and conciliation service.]

Applications for orders to disclose whereabouts of childrenS

33.23.(1)An application for an order under section 33(1) of the M4Family Law Act 1986 (which relates to the disclosure of the whereabouts of a child) shall be made by motion.

(2)Where the sheriff makes an order under section 33(1) of the Family Law Act 1986, he may ordain the person against whom the order has been made to appear before him or to lodge an affidavit.

Applications in relation to removal of childrenS

33.24.(1)An application for leave under section 51(1) of the Act of 1975 F17 (authority to remove a child from the care and possession of the applicant for custody) or for an order under section 35(3) of the Family Law Act 1986 (application for interdict or interim interdict prohibiting removal of child from jurisdiction) shall be made—

(a)by a party to the action, by motion; or

(b)by a person who is not a party to the action, by minute.

(2)An application under section 35(3) of the Family Law Act 1986 need not be served or intimated.

(3)An application under section 23(2) of the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 F18 (declarator that removal of child from United Kingdom was unlawful) shall be made—

(a)in an action depending before the sheriff—

(1)by a party, in the initial writ, defences or minute, as the case may be, or by motion; or

(ii)by any other person, by minute; or

(b)after final decree, by minute in the process of the action to which the application relates.

Intimation to local authority before supervised accessS

33.25.Where the sheriff, of his own motion or on the motion of a party, is considering making an award of access or interim access subject to supervision by the social work department of a local authority, he shall ordain the party moving for access or interim access to intimate to the chief executive of that local authority (where not already a party to the action and represented at the hearing at which the issue arises)—

(a)the terms of any relevant motion;

(b)the intention of the sheriff to order that access be supervised by the social work department of that local authority; and

(c)that the local authority shall, within such period as the sheriff has determined—

(i)notify the sheriff clerk whether it intends to make representations to the sheriff; and

(ii)where it intends to make representations in writing, to do so within that period.

Joint minutesS

33.26.Where any parties have reached agreement in relation to—

(a)any parental rights in respect of a child,

(b)aliment for a child, or

(c)an order for financial provision,

a joint minute may be entered into expressing that agreement; and the sheriff may grant decree in respect of those parts of the joint minute in relation to which he could otherwise make an order, whether or not such a decree would include a matter for which there was no crave.

AffidavitsS

33.27.The sheriff may accept evidence by affidavit at any hearing for an order or interim order.