131Hearings and proceedings

### 131 Hearings and proceedings > > (1)  [*\[Section 131 Subsection (1) amended by No. 6 of 2003, s. 46, Applied:01 Jul 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS46@EN) The practice and procedure of the Mining Tribunal is to be in accordance with the rules of court applicable to the Magistrates Court (Civil Division). > > > (1A)  [*\[Section 131 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 38 of 2006, s. 6, Applied:18 Dec 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-12-18/act-2006-038#GS6@EN) The Mining Tribunal is to hear and determine proceedings relating to an appeal under this Act – > > > > > > (a) by taking into account only the evidence and documents the Minister relied on when he or she made the decision under the Act to which the proceedings relate; or > > > > > > > (b) by way of a new hearing if both parties to the appeal agree. > > > (2)  The Mining Tribunal – > > > > > > (a) is not bound by the rules of evidence; and > > > > > > > (b) must observe the principles of natural justice. > > > (3)  Any evidence is to be taken on oath or affirmation and recorded. > > > (4)  A party to any proceedings may appear before the Mining Tribunal – > > > > > > (a) in person; or > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 131 Subsection (4) amended by No. 66 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:31 Dec 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-12-31/act-2007-066#JS1@Ja65@GC1@EN) by representation by an Australian legal practitioner if– > > > > > > > > > > (i) the other parties agree; or > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) the Mining Tribunal grants leave. > > > (5)  Proceedings are not invalid by reason only of – > > > > > > (a) any inaccurate description of a person or place in any document; or > > > > > > > (b) any defect or error in any document.