Section 77 – Evidence in simple procedure cases
132.Subsection (1) is based on section 35(3) of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 and is a reflection of the desire to make the simple procedure less bound up in technical, legal rules. Subsection (2) restates section 36(3) of the 1971 Act which was included as ordinary cause rules in the sheriff court require the recording of evidence. Ordinary cause procedure will not exist after the Act is fully commenced (by virtue of the repeal of Schedule 1 to the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907 by schedule 5 paragraph 4(h) of this Act). However the new rules of procedure are likely to require the recording of evidence in at least some cases and so section 77(2) is necessary to make it clear that such recording is not required in simple procedure cases.