Regulation 14 Directions

(1)

On its own initiative, or on the application of any party, the Committee may give directions to the parties relating to the conduct or progress of the application.

(2)

The power to give directions is to be exercised subject to any specific provision of these Regulations.

(3)

Directions must be given to every party and may be given orally or in writing.

(4)

Directions of the Committee may, in particular–

(a)

relate to any matter concerning the preparation for a hearing;

(b)

specify the length of time allowed for something to be done;

(c)

vary any time limit in directions previously given by the Committee for anything to be done by a party;

(d)

provide for–

(i)

a particular matter to be dealt with as a preliminary issue;

(ii)

a party to provide further details of his or her case, or any other information which appears to be necessary for the determination of the application;

(iii)

the witnesses, if any, to be heard;

(iv)

the manner in which any evidence is to be given.

(e)

require any party to lodge and serve–

(i)

statements of any evidence which will be put forward at the hearing;

(ii)

a paginated and indexed bundle of all the documents which will be relied on at the hearing;

(iii)

a skeleton argument which summarises the submissions which will be made at the hearing and cites all the authorities which will be relied on, identifying any particular passages to be relied on;

(iv)

a list of witnesses whom any party wishes to call to give evidence.

(5)

When making directions the Committee shall take into account the ability of parties to comply with the directions.

(6)

Where a party attends a hearing and is not represented by another person, the Committee may assist that party to make the best of his or her case, without advocating the course that party should take.