This Order makes amendments to the Justice of the Peace Courts (Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife) Order 2008 (“the 2008 Order”).

The 2008 Order makes provision for the establishment of JP courts in the Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife (and the associated disestablishment of the existing district courts in that Sheriffdom). The majority of the provisions of that Order will come into force on 23rd February 2009, however, certain transitional provisions came into force in respect of the establishment of JP courts on 1st December 2008.

Article 8 is inserted to make provision for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities to the Scottish Ministers of the heritable property which is specified in the newly inserted Schedule 4.

References in these newly inserted provisions to the “relevant date” will attract the definition given to that term in article 1 of the 2008 Order. “Relevant date” is defined there as meaning 23rd February 2009.