Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011

The Principal Reporter

17Duty as respects location of children’s hearing

The Principal Reporter must ensure that, so far as practicable, a children’s hearing takes place in the area of the relevant local authority for the child to whom the hearing relates.

18Power to change Principal Reporter’s functions

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by order—

(a)confer additional functions on the Principal Reporter,

(b)remove functions from the Principal Reporter,

(c)transfer functions from another person to the Principal Reporter,

(d)transfer functions from the Principal Reporter to another person,

(e)specify the manner in which, or period within which, any function conferred on the Principal Reporter by virtue of this Act or the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.46) is to be carried out.

(2)An order under this section is subject to the super-affirmative procedure (other than an order under subsection (1)(e), which is subject to the affirmative procedure).

19Rights of audience

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—

(a)empower the Principal Reporter to conduct proceedings which by virtue of this Act require to be conducted before the sheriff or the sheriff principal,

(b)prescribe qualifications or experience that must be acquired or training that must be undertaken by the Principal Reporter before conducting such proceedings.

(2)References in subsection (1) to the Principal Reporter include references to a person carrying out a function on behalf of the Principal Reporter by virtue of paragraph 10(1) of schedule 3.