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Chapter DMBM676150

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date29 April 2016
Record NumberDMBM676150

The proceedings will be conducted on a formal basis in open court.

Addressing the sheriff

It is customary to stand and bow when the sheriff enters the court. You should also bowto the sheriff both before and after addressing him.

During the hearing all comments must be directed at the sheriff who must always beaddressed as “M’Lord”, “M’Lady” or “Your Lordship/YourLadyship”. For example in your opening submission you should say “M’Lord,Mrs Brown was assessed….”.

In any reply made to a question from the sheriff you should for example say “Yes,M’Lady”.

In any comments made to the sheriff the word “you” should be substituted for amore formal style of address. For example you should say “Your Lordship willsee” instead of just saying, “You will see”.

Conducting the hearing

You will notice that members of the legal profession are extremely polite when theyaddress the sheriff. You should adopt a similar approach. It would be disrespectful, iffor example, you were to turn your back to the sheriff in order to retrieve some of yourpapers.

As a basic rule on procedural matters always regard the sheriff as being correct. You willgain nothing from arguing with him.

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