Jurisdiction
Section 16 – Sequestration proceedings to be competent only before sheriff
62.This section provides for the removal of the jurisdiction of the Court of Session in respect of petitions for sequestration or for recall of sequestrations, which are to be heard by the sheriff alone. Actions of reduction and suspension in relation to a sequestration will continue to be dealt with by the Court of Session.
63.This section amends several sections of the 1985 Act, including section 15 which makes further provisions relating to sequestrations. It should be noted that appeals against the AiB’s refusal to award sequestration on a debtor application will also be heard by the sheriff (see section 15(3A) of the 1985 Act, inserted by paragraph 13 of schedule 1 to this Act), and appeals against a decision of the sheriff to transfer a sequestration to any other sheriff will be heard by the sheriff principal (see section 15(2A) of the 1985 Act, inserted by subsection (2)(c) of this section).
64.There are a number of amendments of the 1985 Act contained in schedule 1 which are consequential on the changes made by this section.
