(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations empower a reporter, whether or not the reporter is an advocate or solicitor, to conduct proceedings—
(a)before a sheriff—
(i)on an application by the Principal Reporter for the making of a parenting order;
(ii)on an application for the variation, or revocation, of a parenting order made on the application of the Principal Reporter, under section 105(1); or
(iii)for the purpose of considering whether to make an order under section 105(5) in respect of a parenting order made on the application of the Principal Reporter; or
(b)before a sheriff principal, on any appeal arising from proceedings such as are mentioned in paragraph (a).
(2)Regulations under subsection (1) may prescribe such requirements as the Scottish Ministers think fit as to—
(a)qualifications;
(b)training; or
(c)experience,
necessary for a reporter to be so empowered.
(3)In this section, “reporter” means—
(a)the Principal Reporter; and
(b)any officer of the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration to whom there is delegated, under section 131(1) of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39), any of the functions which the Principal Reporter has under any enactment.