Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Rules of the Supreme Court in consequence of—

(1)the coming into force of the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 enabling the Court to reopen a credit agreement on the grounds that it is extortionate (rules 2, 3(2), 10, 11 and 14(2));

(2)the abolition of estate duty and the introduction of capital transfer tax by the Finance Act 1975 (rules 12 and 14(4)).

Other amendments are also made so as to—

(a)give the district registries of Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Preston territorial jurisdiction in Chancery proceedings over the whole of the North of England (rules 3(1), 4, 6, 13 and 14(3));

(b)permit service out of the jurisdiction, with the leave of the Court, in proceedings for the recovery of estate duty and capital transfer tax (rule 5);

(c)take account of the Administration of Estates (Small Payments) (Increase of Limit) Order 1975 (S.I. 1975/1137) (rule 7);

(d)enable the costs of appeals to a Divisional Court of the Family Division to be taxed by a district registrar if the Court or a Judge of the Family Division so directs (rule 8(1));

(e)take account of changes made by the Supreme Court Funds Rules 1975 (rules 8(2) and 9);

(f)provide for the costs of attending a hearing in Chancery chambers to be taxed by a taxing officer instead of fixed by the Chancery master (rule 8(3)).