(1)The Scottish Ministers may appoint individuals to act as sheriffs; and individuals so appointed are to be known as “part-time sheriffs”.
(2)The Scottish Ministers may appoint an individual only if—
(a)the individual is qualified for appointment (see section 14), and
(b)the Scottish Ministers have consulted the Lord President of the Court of Session before making the appointment.
(3)Subject to section 20, an appointment as a part-time sheriff lasts for 5 years.
(4)A part-time sheriff may exercise the jurisdiction and powers that attach to the office of sheriff in every sheriffdom, and does not need a commission for that purpose.
(5)A part-time sheriff is subject to such instructions, arrangements and other provisions as may be made under this Act by the sheriff principal of the sheriffdom in which the part-time sheriff is for the time being sitting.
(6)In carrying out their functions under this Act, sheriffs principal must together have regard to the desirability of securing that every part-time sheriff—
(a)is given the opportunity of sitting on not fewer than 20 days in each successive period of 12 months beginning with the day of the part-time sheriff’s appointment, and
(b)does not sit for more than 100 days in each such successive period.