45Sending requests for assistance
(1)A request for assistance under section 43 or 44, other than one to which subsection (3) or (4) applies, is to be sent to the Secretary of State for forwarding—
(a)to a court specified in the request and exercising jurisdiction in the place where the information is to be obtained, or
(b)to any authority recognised by the participating country in question as the appropriate authority for receiving requests for assistance of the kind to which this section applies.
(2)But in cases of urgency the request may be sent to a court referred to in subsection (1)(a).
(3)Such a request for assistance by the Lord Advocate is to be sent to a court or authority mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b).
(4)Such a request for assistance by a sheriff or a procurator fiscal is to be sent to such a court or authority, or to the Lord Advocate for forwarding to such a court or authority.