SCJC begins project to simplify civil court rules

The Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) has published its annual report, detailing its key achievements as well as priorities in the year ahead.

The Lord President and chairman of the SCJC, Lord Carloway, states that the drafting of court rules to support the introduction of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 is almost finished.

He adds that the ‘core’ Simple Procedure rules are now in force, those covering lay representation for non-natural persons as well as vexatious litigation orders.

Lord Carloway writes: “The council has now begun its extensive Rules Rewrite Project which is designed to consolidate, harmonise and simplify the rules of the civil courts in Scotland. One of the most significant achievements of the year has been the publication of The New Civil Procedure Rules First Report, which sets out the thinking of the council on a number of important and over-arching matters relating to the rewrite of civil procedure rules. The council is keen to engage with court users to ensure the success of this far-reaching project. The first step is a summer tour with visits planned to all of the six court areas in Scotland.”

The Lord President also refers to significant developments, including “rules arising from the implementation of the reforms to bankruptcy proceedings and from the new Fatal Accident Inquiry procedure.”

He adds: “None of this work could have been achieved without the high level of commitment and professionalism from the members of the council and its committees. I am grateful to them and the associated secretariat staff for their support.”

Further information on the SCJC’s work is available in the latest edition of its newsletter.