Article 8

For rule 20 there shall be substituted—

“Appeals in absence of parties

20

(1)

Subject to rule 20A, to any arrangements made by the President under rule 21, to rule 23 and to the following provisions of this rule, an appeal may be heard in the absence of the parties or their representatives.

(2)

If a party fails to attend, or be represented at, a hearing of which he has been duly notified, the tribunal—

(a)

if it is not satisfied that there is sufficient reason for his absence and does not think that his presence is necessary for the due determination of the appeal, may hear and determine the appeal in his absence; or

(b)

whether or not it is so satisfied or so thinks, may adjourn the hearing, and may make such order as to expenses as it thinks fit.

(3)

Where an appeal has been determined by virtue of paragraph (2)(a) but the appellant applies to the President, without undue delay, for the decision to be set aside, the President may, if after affording each party a reasonable opportunity to make representations he considers that the interests of justice so require, grant the application and arrange for the appeal to be re-heard before a differently constituted tribunal; and he may make such further order as he thinks fit.”.