The change means that from 1 December 2020, if agents or party litigants wish to submit a simple procedure claim this will have to be done through Civil Online.

If agents wish to submit claims in bulk, they can additionally make use of the direct digital interface developed by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS).

Only if a sheriff considers that a claimant could not have submitted their claim by either of these methods, based on an explanation they provide in a note, will the alternative means of submitting a claim under the rules be permitted.

The rules have been developed following a request by the SCTS in June 2020. It was agreed that the rule change should be time-limited and it will therefore cease to have effect on 30 September 2021.

In order to assess whether or not to extend the life of the rule change, the SCJC has requested that SCTS reports to it on the operation of the rule change and the digital interface by 30 June 2021.