Part 8

Attachment of money

Release of money attached

Creditor's application for payment order
183
1
This section applies where—
a
money has been attached by an officer of court in execution of a money attachment; and
b
that money (or part of it) has not been released by virtue of section 182(6)(b), 185(3), 186 or 188(1) of this Act.
2
The creditor may apply to the sheriff for an order (in this Part, a “payment order”) authorising payment to the creditor out of the money attached of a sum not exceeding the sum recoverable by the money attachment.
3
An application under subsection (2) above must be—
a
in (or as nearly as may be in) the form prescribed by Act of Sederunt;
b
made before the expiry of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the report of money attachment is made.
4
On making the application, the creditor must send a copy of it to—
a
the debtor;
b
the officer of court; and
c
any person such as is mentioned in section 182(3)(d) of this Act.
5
Subject to subsections (10) and (12) below, where there is no opposition to the application, the sheriff must make a payment order.
6
The debtor or a third party who claims ownership (whether solely or in common with the debtor) of any of the money attached may oppose the application under subsection (2) above.
7
An opposition under subsection (6) above must be—
a
in (or as nearly as may be in) the form prescribed by Act of Sederunt; and
b
made before the expiry of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the application is made.
8
Where there is opposition, the sheriff may not make a payment order without first—
a
giving—
i
the creditor;
ii
the debtor; and
iii
any third party who opposes the application,
an opportunity to make representations; or
b
holding a hearing.
9
Where the debtor or, as the case may be a third party, opposes the application on the ground that money attached is not owned by the debtor, it is for the debtor or the third party to prove that fact.
10
Where the sheriff is satisfied, after considering any opposition or on the sheriff's own initiative, that there has been a material irregularity in the execution of the money attachment, the sheriff must make an order such as is mentioned in subsection (11) below.
11
That order is an order—
a
declaring that the money attachment ceases to have effect; and
b
requiring the officer of court to return the money attached or, where the value of any such money has been realised, a sum equivalent to that value, to the debtor or, as the case may be, the person whose money it is.
12
Where the sheriff is satisfied after considering any opposition or on the sheriff's own initiative, that any money attached is not owned by the debtor—
a
the sheriff must make an order such as is mentioned in subsection (11) above restricted to that money; and
b
after the order is made, the officer of court may attach other money owned by the debtor and kept at the place at which the original money attachment was executed.
S. 183 wholly in force at 23.11.2009; s. 183 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 227; s. 182(3)(a)(7)(a) in force for certain purposes at 1.4.2008 by S.S.I. 2008/115, art. 3(4), Sch. 3 (with arts. 4-6, 10); s. 183 in force at 23.11.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2009/369, art. 3 (with transitional modifications in art. 4)
Words in s. 183(1)(a) substituted (31.1.2011) by Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8), s. 134(7), Sch. 4 para. 25(a); S.S.I. 2011/30, art. 3(1)(3), Sch. 1
Words in s. 183(4)(b) substituted (31.1.2011) by Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8), s. 134(7), Sch. 4 para. 24(2); S.S.I. 2011/30, art. 3(1)(3), Sch. 1
Words in s. 183(11)(b) substituted (31.1.2011) by Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8), s. 134(7), Sch. 4 para. 24(2); S.S.I. 2011/30, art. 3(1)(3), Sch. 1
Words in s. 183(12)(b) substituted (31.1.2011) by Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8), s. 134(7), Sch. 4 para. 24(2); S.S.I. 2011/30, art. 3(1)(3), Sch. 1