Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907

PART IIISDEFENDED CIVIL PARTNERSHIP ACTIONS
Notice of intention to defend and defencesS

33A.34.(1)This rule applies where the defender in a civil partnership action seeks–

(a)to oppose any crave in the initial writ;

(b)to make a claim for–

(i)aliment;

(ii)an order for financial provision within the meaning of section 8(3) of the Act of 1985; or

(iii)a section 11 order; or

(c)an order–

(i)under section 16(1)(b) or (3) of the Act of 1985 F1 (setting aside or varying agreement as to financial provision);

(ii)under section 18 of the Act of 1985 (which relates to avoidance transactions); or

(iii)under Chapter 3 or Chapter 4 of Part 3 or section 127 of the Act of 2004; or

(d)to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.

(2)In an action to which this rule applies, the defender shall–

(a)lodge a notice of intention to defend in Form CP16 before the expiry of the period of notice; and

(b)make any claim or seek any order referred to in paragraph (1), as the case may be, in those defences by setting out in his defences–

(i)craves;

(ii)averments in the answers to the condescendence in support of those craves; and

(iii)appropriate pleas-in-law.

(3)Where a defender intends to make an application for a section 11 order which, had it been made in an initial writ, would have required a warrant for intimation under rule 33A.7, the defender shall include a crave in his notice of intention to defend for a warrant for intimation or to dispense with such intimation; and rule 33A.7 shall, with the necessary modifications, apply to a crave for a warrant under this paragraph as it applies to a crave for a warrant under that rule.

Textual Amendments

Abandonment by pursuerS

33A.35.Notwithstanding abandonment by a pursuer of a civil partnership action, the court may allow a defender to pursue an order or claim sought in his defences; and the proceedings in relation to that order or claim shall continue in dependence as if a separate cause.

Attendance of parties at Options HearingS

33A.36.All parties to a civil partnership action shall, except on cause shown, attend personally the hearing under rule 9.12 (Options Hearing).

Decree by defaultS

33A.37.(1)In a civil partnership action in which the defender has lodged a notice of intention to defend, where a party fails–

(a)to lodge, or intimate the lodging of, any production or part of process;

(b)to implement an order of the sheriff within a specified period; F2. . .

(c)to appear or be represented at any diet, [F3or

(d)otherwise to comply with any requirement imposed upon that party by these Rules]

that party shall be in default.

(2)Where a party is in default under paragraph (1), the sheriff may–

(a)where the civil partnership action is one mentioned in rule 33A.1(1) (a) [F4(b) or (f)], allow that action to proceed as undefended under Part II of this Chapter; or

(b)where the civil partnership action is one mentioned in rule 33A.1(1)(c) to (e), grant decree as craved; or

(c)grant decree of absolvitor; or

(d)dismiss the civil partnership action or any claim made or order sought; [F5or]

[F6(da)make such other order as he thinks fit to secure the expeditious progress of the cause; and]

(e)award expenses.

(3)Where no party appears at a diet in a civil partnership action, the sheriff may dismiss that action.

(4)In a civil partnership action, the sheriff may, on cause shown, prorogate the time for lodging any production or part of process, or for intimating or implementing any order.

Textual Amendments

F4Words in Sch. 1 rule 33A.37(2)(a) substituted (4.5.2006) by Act of Sederunt (Ordinary Cause Rules) Amendment (Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 etc.) 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/207), {rule 2(49)}