(1)In any summary proceedings, the court may, on the application of any of the parties, issue a warrant for the apprehension of a witness if subsection (2) or (3) below applies in relation to the witness.
(2)This subsection applies if the witness, having been duly cited to any diet in the proceedings, deliberately and obstructively fails to appear at the diet.
(3)This subsection applies if the court is satisfied by evidence on oath that the witness is being deliberately obstructive and is not likely to attend to give evidence at any diet in the proceedings without being compelled to do so.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (2) above, a witness who, having been duly cited to any diet, fails to appear at the diet is to be presumed, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, to have so failed deliberately and obstructively.
(5)An application under subsection (1) above—
(a)may be made orally or in writing;
(b)if made in writing—
(i)shall be in such form as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal, or as nearly as may be in such form; and
(ii)may be disposed of in court or in chambers after such enquiry or hearing (if any) as the court considers appropriate.
(6)A warrant issued under this section shall be in such form as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal or as nearly as may be in such form.
(7)A warrant issued under this section in the form mentioned in subsection (6) above shall imply warrant to officers of law—
(a)to search for and apprehend the witness in respect of whom it is issued;
(b)to bring the witness before the court;
(c)in the meantime, to detain the witness in a police station, police cell or other convenient place; and
(d)so far as necessary for the execution of the warrant, to break open shut and lockfast places.
(8)It shall not be competent in summary proceedings for a court to issue a warrant for the apprehension of a witness otherwise than in accordance with this section.
(9)Section 135(3) of this Act makes provision as to bringing before the court a person apprehended under a warrant issued under this section.
(10)In this section and section 156A, “the court” means the court in which the witness is to give evidence.]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 156-156D substituted (10.3.2008) for s. 156 by Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 6), ss. 16, 84; S.S.I. 2008/42, art. 3, Sch.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 156 applied (26.4.2004) by Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32), ss. 15, 30, 31, 94, Sch. 1 para. 2, Sch. 2 para. 2; S.I. 2004/786, art. 3
C2S. 156 modified (31.7.2017) by The Criminal Justice (European Investigation Order) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/730), reg. 1(1), Sch. 6 para. 3 (with reg. 3)
C3S. 156 applied (31.7.2017) by The Criminal Justice (European Investigation Order) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/730), reg. 1(1), Sch. 5 para. 3 (with reg. 3)