Section 70 Assessors and scientific advisers.

England and Wales

(1)

In any cause or matter before the High Court the court may, if it thinks it expedient to do so, call in the aid of one or more assessors specially qualified, and hear and dispose of the cause or matter wholly or partially with their assistance.

(2)

The remuneration, if any, to be paid to an assessor for his services under subsection (1) in connection with any proceedings shall be determined by the court, and shall form part of the costs of the proceedings.

(3)

Rules of court shall make provision for the appointment of scientific advisers to assist the Patents Court in proceedings under the M1Patents Act 1949 and the M2Patents Act 1977 and for regulating the functions of such advisers.

(4)

The remuneration of any such adviser shall be determined by the Lord Chancellor with the concurrence of the Minister for the Civil Service and shall be defrayed out of money provided by Parliament.

F1(5)

Subsections (1) and (2) apply in relation to the family court as they apply in relation to the High Court.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: S. 70(5) inserted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 10 para. 62; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(d) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)

Marginal citations

M1: 1949 c. 87.
M2: 1977 c. 37.

Notes on the whole Act

Textual amendments

F1: Act: "The Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54) may be cited as the Senior Courts Act 1981" (1.10.2009) by virtue of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 1(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)
F2: Act: words substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 26(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)