Explanatory note

This Act of Sederunt makes various amendments to the rules applicable in the sheriff court. Those amendments are consequential upon the Equality Act 2006. In particular, amendments are made to each of the Ordinary Cause Rules, the Summary Application, Statutory Applications and Appeals etc. Rules, the Summary Cause Rules and the Small Claim Rules.

The amendments make provision for the intimation of certain proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975; the Race Relations Act 1976; the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2006 (“the equalities enactments”) to the Commission responsible under each of those pieces of legislation.

The amendments make provision for the appointment of assessors in cases under the equalities enactments and for the assessment of expenses incurred by the Commission in connection with proceedings under those enactments.

Provision is also made concerning cases under the equality enactments in which matters of national security are raised.