Regulation 4 Requirement for oral hearings

Where a reference is made to a tribunal, the clerk to the tribunal shall direct every party to the proceedings to notify him if that party wishes an oral hearing of that reference to be held.

A notification under paragraph (1) shall be in writing and shall be made within 10 days of receipt of the direction from the clerk to the tribunal or within such other period as the clerk to the tribunal or the chairman of the tribunal may direct.

Where the clerk to the tribunal receives a notification in accordance with paragraph (2) the tribunal shall hold an oral hearing.

The chairman of a tribunal may of his own motion require an oral hearing to be held if he is satisfied that such a hearing is necessary to enable the tribunal to reach a decision.