(1)  A Sheriff appointed under the Sheriff Act 1873 must, as soon as practicable after being appointed, take and subscribe the official oath.

(2)  The official oath to be taken under subsection (1) by a Sheriff is to be –

(a) tendered to the Sheriff by a judge; and

(b) taken, and subscribed, by the Sheriff in the presence of the judge.

(3)  A judge before whom an oath is subscribed in accordance with subsection (2) must, as soon as practicable, forward it to the Registrar of the Supreme Court to be recorded in the Supreme Court.

(4)  If a Sheriff declines or neglects to take and subscribe the official oath tendered to him or her under subsection (2) , his or her office is vacated.