Commentary on Sections Part 5: Civil Recovery of the Proceeds etc. of Unlawful Conduct Interim administration orders (Scotland) Section 257: Functions of interim administrator
332.The detailed functions of an interim administrator will be conferred by the court’s order itself. The court’s discretion to confer whatever powers it considers appropriate to the circumstances of an individual case are at large, provided always they are for the purpose set out at subsections (1) and (2).
333.Up until the interim administration order, or the raising of proceedings (whichever comes first), the Scottish Ministers have access to the civil investigation powers set out in Part 8. Thereafter, they cease to have access to these powers and the duty of taking whatever further steps are needed to establish the facts about the property is placed upon the interim administrator acting under the court’s direction.
334.Schedule 6, which is introduced by subsection (1)(a), makes explicit mention of some of the more significant powers that the court may choose to confer on an interim administrator. These are explained above.
335.Although the court has a wide discretion over the powers and functions which may be conferred on an interim administrator, there are some duties under which he must always be placed. Subsection (2) sets these out. He will always be required to take the necessary steps to establish:
	whether in his view the property is to any extent recoverable or associated property, and
	whether there is any other property which is recoverable in relation to the same unlawful conduct.
336.Subsection (3) provides legal protection for the interim administrator if he mistakenly, but honestly and reasonably, deals with property which is not the property specified in the order. He will have immunity from any legal claims in respect of loss or damage caused by such dealing, unless it can be shown that it was caused by his negligence.