Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014

69 Application for new trial

(1) After the jury have returned their verdict in jury proceedings, any party to the proceedings may, on any ground specified in subsection (2), apply to the Sheriff Appeal Court for a new trial.

(2) The grounds are—

(a) the sheriff misdirected the jury,

(b) undue admission or rejection of evidence,

(c) the verdict is contrary to the evidence,

(d) damages awarded are excessive or inadequate,

(e) new evidence or information has come to light since the trial,

(f) any other ground essential to the justice of the case.

(3) On an application under subsection (1), the Sheriff Appeal Court may grant or refuse a new trial.

(4) Subsection (3) is subject to section 70.

(5) Where the Court grants a new trial—

(a) the verdict of the jury is set aside, and

(b) the proceedings are to be tried by another jury.

(6) Subsection (7) applies where—

(a) an application is made under subsection (1) on the ground that the verdict is contrary to the evidence, and

(b) after hearing the parties, the Sheriff Appeal Court is of the opinion that—

(i) the ground is established, and

(ii) it has before it all the relevant evidence that could reasonably be expected to be obtained in relation to the proceedings.

(7) The Court may, instead of granting a new trial—

(a) set aside the verdict of the jury, and

(b) enter judgment for the party unsuccessful at the trial.

(8) In a case where the Court is constituted by more than one Appeal Sheriff, the opinion referred to in subsection (6)(b) must be the opinion of all of them.