Rule 7.31 Hearing of petition

(1)

On the return day, or at any time after it, the court—

(a)

must, where the petition is presented by a person who is not a relevant office-holder, give directions;

(b)

may, in any other case, give directions; or

(c)

may, in either case, make any such order as it sees fit.

(2)

In particular, the court may give directions relating to the following matters—

(a)

service or delivery of the petition, whether in connection with the venue for a further hearing, or for any other purpose;

(b)

whether particulars of claim and defence are to be delivered, and generally as to the procedure on the petition;

(c)

whether and if so by what means, notice of the petition is to be given;

(d)

the manner in which any evidence is to be provided at any hearing before the judge and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the above) as to—

(i)

the taking of evidence wholly or in part by witness statement or orally,

(ii)

the cross-examination of any person who has made a witness statement, and

(iii)

the matters to be dealt with in evidence; and

(e)

any other matter affecting the procedure on the petition or in connection with the hearing and disposal of the petition.

(3)

In giving directions the court must consider whether a copy of the petition should be served on or delivered to any of the persons specified in rule 7.9.