Written question asked by Roseanna Cunningham (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 3 December 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 December 1998. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Monday, 14 December 1998 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recommendations the Scottish Law Commission has made regarding the abolition of the diligence of inhibitions on the dependence of Court actions; what was the total sum (a) paid by Registers of Scotland in respect of legal expenses of the petitioners and (b) incurred by Registers of Scotland to the Scottish Officer in relation to the action of Judicial Review raised by Millar & Bryce Limited and two other firms against Registers of Scotland. - Includes figures.

Answer: Ms Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations the Scottish Law Commission has made regarding the abolition of the diligence of inhibitions on the dependence of Court actions; what was the total sum (a) paid by Registers of Scotland in respect of legal expenses of the petitioners and (b) incurred by Registers of Scotland to the Scottish Officer in relation to the action of Judicial Review raised by Millar & Bryce Ltd. and two other firms against Registers of Scotland. [63118] Mr. McLeish: The Scottish Law Commission recently published its Report on Diligence on the Dependence and Admiralty Arrestments (Scot. Law Com. No. 164). This Report contains the Commission's recommendations for reform of the diligence of inhibition on the dependence of actions. The total sums paid by Registers of Scotland in relation to the action of Judicial Review raised by Millar & Bryce Ltd. and 2 other firms of private searchers were as follows: (a) an agreed settlement of £25,000 in respect of the judicially awarded expenses of the petitioners and (b) £36,807.21 in respect of Registers of Scotland expenses.

Secondary information