Section 11 Reports as to arrangements for future care and upbringing of children.E1

For the purpose of satisfying itself as to the proposed arrangements for the care and upbringing of any child as to whose F1custody the court has power to make orders, the court may, without prejudice to its power to appoint any other person F2, not being an officer of the local authority for the purpose, appoint an appropriate local authority to investigate and report to the court on all the circumstances of the child and on the proposed arrangements for the care and upbringing of the child.

In this section “local authority” has the same meaning as in the M1Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.

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If on consideration of a report furnished in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section the court, eitherex proprio motuor on the application of any person concerned, thinks it expedient to do so, it may require the person who furnished the report to appear and to be examined on oath regarding any matter dealt with in the report, and such person may be examined or cross-examined accordingly.

Any expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of a report by a F5local authority or other person appointed under this section shall form part of the expenses of the action and be defrayed by such party to the action as the court may direct, and the court may certify the amount of the expenses so incurred.