Article 15 Directions varying time limits

The Tribunal shall not make a direction under rule 12(e) to vary any time limit imposed by virtue of these Rules or by virtue of a previous direction of the Tribunal, whether on the application of any party or of all the parties or of its own initiative, unless it is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so.

Before making a direction to vary any time limit, the Tribunal shall consider whether the reference should be dealt with as a matter of urgency, in particular considering whether the Regulator has already exercised a regulatory function under the 2004 Act or the 2005 Order, or whether that function may not be exercised until the reference has been finally disposed of.

The Tribunal may direct that a time limit be extended by 14 days or less without first considering whether any party objects to the direction, but any such objection shall be taken into account on any subsequent application to extend a time limit.

The Tribunal may direct that a time limit be extended whether or not that time limit has already expired.

A time limit which has previously been extended may from time to time be further extended by directions of the Tribunal, whether or not that or any subsequent such time limit has already expired.

Where a party files a response document or list later than any time limit imposed by or extended under these Rules but without applying for a direction under rule 12(e) extending the time limit, that party shall be treated as applying for such a direction.

If a response document or list is not filed in accordance with the time limit imposed by or extended under these Rules, the Tribunal may of its own initiative direct that the document or list be filed by a specified date.