In summary, the procedural rules:
provide an overview of the structure of an FAI, setting out inquiry principles and requiring judicial continuity where possible;
give a broad inquiry management power to the Sheriff;
set out how applications are made and how various things are intimated;
set out requirements for notification before the inquiry starts, from the giving of the first notice by the procurator fiscal to the conclusion of the preliminary hearing;
establish how information is gathered, agreed and presented at an FAI, including providing for information management powers for the Sheriff, citation of witnesses (including overseas witnesses), witness statements, expert witnesses, video recordings and the lodging of productions and witness lists;
provide for the sheriff’s determination and responses to recommendations made by the sheriff;
create a number of court forms to be used in the conduct of an FAI;
deal with various miscellaneous and general matters such as lodging, live links, reporting restrictions, the style of oath and affirmation, interventions and lay...