Rule 18 Release from duty to submit statement of affairs; extension of timeI1

The power of the postal administrator under paragraph 48(2) to give a release from the obligation imposed by paragraph 47(1), or to grant an extension of time, may be exercised at the postal administrator’s own discretion, or at the request of any relevant person.

A relevant person may, if they request a release or extension of time and it is refused by the postal administrator, apply to the court for it.

The court may, if it thinks that no sufficient cause is shown for the application, dismiss it without a hearing but it shall not do so without giving the relevant person at least 5 business days’ notice, upon receipt of which the relevant person may request the court to list the application for a without notice hearing. If the application is not dismissed the court shall fix a venue for it to be heard, and give notice to the relevant person accordingly.

The relevant person shall, at least 14 days before the hearing, send to the postal administrator a notice stating the venue and accompanied by a copy of the application and of any evidence which the relevant person intends to adduce in support of it.

The postal administrator may appear and be heard on the application and, whether or not they appear, they may file a written report of any matters which they consider ought to be drawn to the court’s attention. If such a report is filed, a copy of it shall be sent by the postal administrator to the relevant person, not later than 5 business days before the hearing.

Sealed copies of any order made on the application shall be sent by the court to the relevant person and the postal administrator.

On any application under this Rule the relevant person’s costs shall be paid in any event by the relevant person and, unless the court otherwise orders, no allowance towards them shall be made as an expense of the postal administration.