471Counterclaim—order for separate hearing

471 Counterclaim—order for separate hearing (1) The court may, at any time, order that a counterclaim be heard separately from the hearing for the proceeding in which the counterclaim is made if it considers that hearing them together would— (a) unfairly prejudice a party; or

Rule 472 (b) embarrass or delay the hearing of the proceeding; or (c) be otherwise inconvenient. (2) The court may order that a counterclaim be heard separately— (a) on application by a party before the party files and serves an answer to the counterclaim; or (3) The court may make the orders it considers appropriate about the conduct of the separate hearing.