269.This section amends the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (“the 1971 Act”) and inserts into section 32 powers for the Court of Session to make court rules about: enabling witnesses to give evidence when not physically present in court; prescribing circumstances in which a party to proceedings may be prohibited from personally questioning witnesses; permitting a party to be represented by a person who is neither an advocate nor a solicitor; and prescribing the functions and rights of Safeguarders appointed by the sheriff.