EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Sheriff Court Fees Order 1997 (“the 1997 Order”).

Article 2(3) inserts a new Article 3A in the 1997 Order which has the effect of providing that the sheriff clerk or the auditor of court (as appropriate) are not obliged to carry out any act which relates to payment of a fee without either, prior payment of the fee, or entering into an arrangement for payment for the fee.

Article 2(10), together with Schedules 1 to 3, specify new fee levels payable to the sheriff clerk or the auditor of court (as appropriate) in respect of certain matters in relation to proceedings in the sheriff court.

Article 2 also makes amendments to articles 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10 of the 1997 order in consequence of the amendment of fees referred to in Schedule 1 to the 1997 Order.