Rule 9.12 Options Hearing

appoint the cause to a proof and make such orders as to the extent of proof, the lodging of a joint minute of admissions or agreement, or such other matter as he thinks fit;

after having heard parties and considered any note lodged under rule 22.1 (note of basis of preliminary plea), appoint the cause to a proof before answer and make such orders as to the extent of proof, the lodging of a joint minute of admissions or agreement, or such other matter as he thinks fit; or

after having heard parties and considered any note lodged under rule 22.1, appoint the cause to a debate if satisfied that there is a preliminary matter of law which F1if established following debate would lead to decree in favour of any party, or to limitation of proof to any substantial degree.

consider any child witness notice or vulnerable witness application that has been lodged where no order has been made, or

ascertain whether there is or is likely to be a vulnerable witness within the meaning of section 11(1) of the Act of 2004 who is to give evidence at any proof or hearing and whether any order under section 12(1) of the Act of 2004 requires to be made.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

of his own motion or on the motion of any party, and

on being satisfied that the difficulty or complexity of the cause makes it unsuitable for the procedure under this Chapter,

where there are no adjustments made since the lodging of the record under rule 9.11.(2), that record shall become the closed record; and

where there are such adjustments, the sheriff may order that a closed record including such adjustments be lodged within 7 days after the date of the interlocutor closing the record.