Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Rules of the Supreme Court 1965 so as to—

1. (a)

   make a consequential amendment relating to examinations and increase the fees payable to the examiners of the Court (rules 2 and 3);

2. (b)

   provide for appeals from value added tax tribunals to the Court of Appeal under the Finance Act 1985 (*rules 4 to 6);

3. (c)

   incorporate into the Rules a practice direction on arbitration proceedings (rule 7);

4. (d)

   make consequential amendments following the coming into force of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979 (rule 8);

5. (e)

   amend the procedure for issuing warrants of arrest in Admiralty actions (rule 9);

6. (f)

   provide for appeals to the High Court under the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (Administration) Regulations 1986 (rule 10);

7. (g)

   make consequential amendments relating to inheritance tax (rule 10);

8. (h)

   give effect to section 48 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (action taken in reliance on counsel's opinion) (rule 11);

9. (i)

   make consequential amendments following the coming into force of the Companies Act 1985 (rules 12 and 13);

10. (j)

    amend the summary procedure for the possession of land (rule 14);

11. (k)

    provide for applications to the High Court under the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 (*rules 15 to 17).