These Regulations make provision concerning the rights of audience of the Principal Reporter in proceedings before the sheriff and sheriff principal. The Principal Reporter includes any reporter to whom the functions of the Principal Reporter have been delegated in accordance with paragraph10 of schedule 3 to the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (“the Act”).

Regulation 3 empowers the Principal Reporter, whether or not the Principal Reporter is an advocate or a solicitor, to conduct proceedings required by virtue of the Act before the sheriff. Where the Principal Reporter is not an advocate or a solicitor, regulation 3 provides that the Principal Reporter must have 1 year’s experience of being the Principal Reporter before conducting such proceedings.

Regulation 4 empowers the Principal Reporter, whether or not the Principal Reporter is an advocate or a solicitor, to conduct proceedings required by virtue of the Act before the sheriff principal. Where the Principal Reporter is not an advocate or a solicitor, regulation 4 provides that the Principal Reporter must have 2 years’ experience of being the Principal Reporter before conducting such proceedings.

Regulation 5 requires that the Principal Reporter, whether or not the Principal Reporter is an advocate or a solicitor, must have undertaken training in court skills and advocacy before conducting proceedings before the sheriff or sheriff principal.