Paragraph 26 Inspection of land or premises by official expert

The Chairman may direct any person who owns or occupies any land or premises which are relevant to the proceedings to permit the official expert to enter and inspect the land or premises for the purpose for which he was appointed.

Every such direction must, unless the occupier was present when the direction was made, contain a statement informing the occupier that he may apply to the Chairman to vary or set aside the direction.

The occupier of the land or premises and the other parties must be given at least seven days notice of any inspection, unless the occupier and the other parties agree in writing to a shorter period of notice.

That inspection must take place during the hours of daylight and must take place on a business day unless there is good reason or the occupier and parties consent for the inspection to take place on another day.

The Secretary must deliver a copy of the report of the official expert and any written statement made by or on behalf of the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers to each of the parties and inform them that they may make written comments (with copies for all other parties and the official expert) as to the contents of the report within one month (or such other period as the Chairman directs) of receiving the report.

Rules 27, 28 and 29 apply to the report and evidence of the official expert.

In this rule, “business day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971^f1.