After section 75B (refixing diets)2 insert—

“75CRefixing diets: non-suitable days

(1)

Where in any proceedings on indictment any diet has been fixed for a day which is no longer suitable to the court, it may, of its own accord, at any time before that diet—

(a)

discharge the diet; and

(b)

fix a new diet for a date earlier or later than that for which the discharged diet was fixed.

(2)

Before proceeding as mentioned in subsection (1) the court shall give the parties an opportunity to be heard.

(3)

In subsections (1) and (2), “the court” means—

(a)

in the case of proceedings in the High Court, a single judge of that Court;

(b)

in the case of proceedings in the sheriff court, that court.”.

After section 137ZA (refixing diets)3 insert—

“137ZBRefixing diets: non-suitable days

(1)

Where in a summary prosecution any diet has been fixed for a day which is no longer suitable to the court it may, of its own accord, at any time before that diet—

(a)

discharge the diet; and

(b)

fix a new diet for a date earlier or later than that for which the discharged diet was fixed.

(2)

Before proceeding as mentioned in subsection (1) the court shall give the parties an opportunity to be heard.”.