The Act – an Overview Assessment orders Section 12 – Criteria for granting assessment orders
19.This section prescribes the circumstances in which a sheriff may grant an assessment order. The sheriff must be satisfied that the council has reasonable cause to suspect the subject of the order is an adult at risk who is being, or is likely to be, seriously harmed and that an order is necessary to establish this. He or she must also be satisfied as to the availability and suitability of the place at which the person is to be interviewed and examined.