6Procedural directions

6 Procedural directions

(1)  The Tribunal may give any directions, or make any orders, it considers appropriate –

(a) in respect of –

(i) the preparation of an application for hearing; or

(ii) the fair and just determination of an application; or

(iii) the manner in which a directions hearing is to be conducted or held and the persons who are to attend it; and

(b) at any stage of the application process; and

(c) either of its own motion or at the request of a relevant party.

(2)  The Tribunal may hold a directions hearing for the purpose of giving directions or making orders under subrule (1) .

(3)  A relevant party may make a request under subrule (1) by –

(a) lodging with the Secretary a notice setting out the directions or orders sought and the grounds for seeking those directions or orders; and

(b) providing a copy of the notice so lodged to all other relevant parties.

(4)  Without affecting the generality of subrule (1) , the Tribunal may give a direction, or make an order, in respect of any one or more of the following:

(a) the simplification of, or more adequate definition of, an issue;

(b) the amendment of an application, or any document connected to the application, and the terms of such an amendment;

(c) admission of a fact or a document;

(d) discovery, listing, inspection and proof of a document;

(e) any matter which may reduce the costs of a witness attending a hearing;

(f) limiting the number of expert witnesses;

(g) the preparation and service of an affidavit;

(h) a timetable for taking any step or complying with any order or direction in the proceeding;