Regulation 9 Reply by the Secretary of StateF7I1

The F1Secretary of State shall send to the Secretariat a reply to the notice of appeal so that it is received not later than the end of the period of twenty working days beginning with the date on which the copy of the notice of appeal is received by the Secretary of State or as extended under regulation 13.

The F2Secretary of State may, either in F3the reply or at any time before the appeal is determined, notify the Secretariat that F4the Secretary of State no longer wishes to uphold a disputed decision, in which case the appointed person shall uphold the appeal.

If the F5Secretary of State fails to send a reply within the time specified in paragraph (1), or by a new date set by the appointed person under regulation 13(1), F6the Secretary of State may not take any further part in the proceedings unless the appointed person so directs.