Article 18 Preliminary hearing

The Tribunal may direct that any preliminary question of fact or law which appears to be in issue in relation to the appeal be determined at a preliminary hearing.

If, in the opinion of the Tribunal, the determination of that question substantially disposes of the appeal, the Tribunal may treat the preliminary hearing as the hearing of the appeal and may make such order by way of disposing of the appeal, as it thinks fit.

If the parties so agree in writing, the Tribunal may determine the question under paragraph (1) without an oral hearing, but, in any such case, the Tribunal may not at the same time dispose of the appeal unless the parties have agreed in writing that it may do so.