Article 7 The hearing of the application

(1)

The date fixed for the hearing of the application shall be not less than 8 weeks from the date of issue of the summons.

(2)

The hearing shall in the first instance be before the registrar in open court.

(3)

The registrar shall either determine the case on the date fixed or adjourn it.

(4)

The registrar shall adjourn the case for further consideration if—

(a)

he forms the provisional opinion that a disqualification order ought to be made, and that a period of disqualification longer than 5 years is appropriate, or

(b)

he is of opinion that questions of law or fact arise which are not suitable for summary determination.

(5)

If the registrar adjourns the case for further consideration he shall—

(a)

direct whether the case is to be heard by a registrar or, if he thinks it appropriate, by the judge, for determination by him;

(b)

state the reasons for the adjournment; and

(c)

give directions as to the following matters—

(i)

the manner in which and the time within which notice of the adjournment and the reasons for it are to be given to the respondent,

(ii)

the filing in court and the service of further evidence (if any) by the parties,

(iii)

such other matters as the registrar thinks necessary or expedient with a view to an expeditious disposal of the application, and

(iv)

the time and place of the adjourned hearing.

(6)

Where a case is adjourned other than to the judge, it may be heard by the registrar who originally dealt with the case or by another registrar.