HearingS
2.42—(1) When the reports of the reporting officer and the curatorad litem have been received by the court, the sheriff shall order a diet of hearing to be fixed.
(2) The applicant shall intimate the diet of hearing in accordance with Form 18–
(a)to any relevant person whose whereabouts are known to him and whose agreement in terms of section 86(2) of the 1995 Act is required or must be dispensed with; and
(b)in the case of a child whose father is not married to the mother, to any person whose whereabouts are known to him and who claims to be the father of the child but who is not his guardian and in respect of whom no order relating to parental rights has been made.
(3) Subject to paragraph (5), if no person entitled to appear appears and wishes to be heard, the sheriff may make the parental responsibilities order.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), if a person entitled to appear appears and wishes to be heard, the sheriff may hear him or may order a further diet to be fixed at which he may be heard and evidence given at any such diet shall be given in the presence of the applicant or his solicitor.
(5) Before making an order, the sheriff shall consider any report received by him in terms of section 73(14) of the 1995 Act.