{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/act-of-sederunt-small-claim-rules-2002/schedule-1/paragraph-9.3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/act-of-sederunt-small-claim-rules-2002/schedule-1/paragraph-9.3.json",
  "legislation": "ssi/2002/133",
  "legislation_title": "Act of Sederunt (Small Claim Rules) 2002",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/act-of-sederunt-small-claim-rules-2002",
  "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/9.3",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "9.3",
  "heading": "Conduct of hearings",
  "text": "(1) Any hearing in a claim shall be conducted in accordance with the following paragraphs of this rule.\n(2) A hearing shall be conducted as informally as the circumstances of the claim permit.\n(3) The procedure to be adopted at a hearing shall be such as the sheriff considers–\n(a) to be fair;\n(b) best suited to the clarification and determination of the issues before him; and\n(c) gives each party sufficient opportunity to present his case.\n(4) Before proceeding to hear evidence, the sheriff shall explain to the parties the form of procedure which he intends to adopt.\n(5) Having considered the circumstances of the parties and whether (and to what extent) they are represented, the sheriff–\n(a) may, in order to assist resolution of the disputed issues of fact, put questions to parties and to witnesses; and\n(b) shall (if he considers it necessary for the fair conduct of the hearing) explain any legal terms or expressions which are used.\n(6) Evidence will normally be taken on oath or affirmation but the sheriff may dispense with that requirement if it appears reasonable to do so.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
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      "type": "word omitted",
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    {
      "type": "substituted",
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    {
      "type": "substituted for Sch. 1 rule 11.1(3)(4)",
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      "affecting_title": "Act of Sederunt (Ordinary Cause, Summary Application, Summary Cause and Small Claim Rules) Amendment (Miscellaneous) 2004"
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  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2002/133/schedule/1/paragraph/9.3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-28T22:42:12.763192+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}