Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014

2 Power to alter sheriffdoms, sheriff court districts and sheriff courts

(1) The Scottish Ministers may, following submission of a proposal under subsection (2), by order do any of the following—

(a) alter the boundaries of sheriffdoms or sheriff court districts,

(b) abolish sheriffdoms or sheriff court districts,

(c) form new sheriffdoms or sheriff court districts,

(d) provide that sheriff courts are to be held, or to cease being held, at any place specified in the order.

(2) The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service may, with the agreement of the Lord President of the Court of Session, submit a proposal to the Scottish Ministers for the making of an order under subsection (1).

(3) Before submitting a proposal to the Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service must consult such persons as it considers appropriate.

(4) If, following submission of a proposal, the Scottish Ministers decide to make an order, they must have regard to the proposal in deciding what provision to make in the order.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may make an order under subsection (1) only with the consent of—

(a) the Lord President, and

(b) the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.

(6) An order under subsection (1) may—

(a) abolish any office in consequence of any provision made under subsection (1),

(b) modify any enactment (including this Act).