Regulation 20 Preliminary point of law

The Chief Commissioner may, on the application of any person entitled to be heard, order any point of law which appears to be in issue in the proceedings to be disposed of at a preliminary hearing before a Commissioner sitting in public. If, in the opinion of such Commissioner, the decision on the point of law substantially disposes of the proceedings, he may order that the argument shall be treated as the hearing of the case or may make such other order as may seem just.

Regulation 8(2) above (Hearings) and regulation 9 (Notice of hearing) shall apply for the purpose of a hearing is a hearing under this regulation.

Notices given under the said regulation 9 as applied by this regulation shall include a statement that the hearing under this regulation and an explanation in general terms of the effect of paragraph (1) of this regulation.