Article 20 The hearing
Every hearing of an appeal or charge shall be open to the public unless the Tribunal directs otherwise.
A hearing may be held in the absence of a party either—
in the circumstance set out in rule 19(1)(b), or
if the party has been notified of the date of the hearing but has failed, without reasonable excuse, to appear before the Tribunal.
At any time in the course of the hearing the Tribunal may make procedural directions, including a direction that the hearing be adjourned.
At the conclusion of a hearing, the members of the Tribunal shall retire to consider their determination.
Any member or representative of the Council on Tribunals shall be allowed to be present at the hearing, including any part of the hearing from which the public is excluded.
If the members considering an appeal or charge disagree, they shall decide by a majority.