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Paragraph 18.10 Witnesses failing to attend

Changes not yet applied. Later legislation changes this provision in ways not yet written into the text below:

(1)

A hearing must not be adjourned solely on account of the failure of a witness to appear unless the sheriff, on cause shown, so directs.

(2)

A witness or haver who fails without reasonable excuse to answer a citation after having been properly cited and offered his travelling expenses if he has asked for them may be ordered by the sheriff to pay a penalty not exceeding £250.

(3)

The sheriff may grant decree for payment of a penalty imposed under paragraph (2) above in favour of the party on whose behalf the witness or haver was cited.

(4)

The sheriff may grant warrant for the apprehension of the witness or haver and for bringing him to court.

(5)

A warrant mentioned in paragraph (4) shall be effective in any sheriffdom without endorsation and the expenses of it may be awarded against the witness or haver.