Article 8 Mediation
If it appears to the Secretary of State that—
there is an absence of agreement between persons entitled to appear at the inquiry on a matter which is relevant to the inquiry;
the inquiry would be conducted more efficiently and expeditiously if agreement could be reached in relation to that matter or any disagreement in relation to it could be defined and narrowed; and
such a result is capable of being achieved by mediation,
then he may at any time appoint a mediator for that purpose.
A mediator shall be a person appearing to the Secretary of State to have been trained in mediation techniques by an independent mediation organisation.
Where the Secretary of State appoints a mediator, he may in writing require the applicant to publish by local advertisement and within such period as he may specify a notice stating the name of the person so appointed and the matter in relation to which he is to mediate.
Where the Secretary of State requires the applicant to publish a notice under paragraph (3), as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the Secretary of State shall publish that notice on a website.
The mediator shall determine the procedure for the mediation.
Within seven days from the conclusion of the mediation, the mediator shall give to the inspector a report describing the mediation procedure and its outcome and the inspector shall, as soon as practicable after receipt, send the report to persons entitled to appear at the inquiry.
The inspector shall permit any person entitled to appear at the inquiry to address him on the report referred to in paragraph (6), but the mediator shall not give evidence at the inquiry.