Messengers-at-arms and sheriff officers are employed by private businesses and charge fees that are set by Act of Sederunt.
[1][2] The jurisdiction of a sheriff officer is limited to the area of their commission (the relevant sheriffdom or Sheriff Court district), unlike messengers-at-arms (the equivalent officers of the Court of Session, who have jurisdiction throughout Scotland).
Judicial officers would have held a commission from the Lord President of the Court of Session under section 57 of the Act, granted on the recommendation of a Scottish Civil Enforcement Commission.
[4] However, on 30 January 2008 the Scottish Government announced as part of a package of public service reform that the Scottish Civil Enforcement Commission would not be established and that its functions would be discharged by existing organisations.
[6] In November 2010, the Scottish Government issued a consultation on the designation of a professional organisation for officers of court.