Regulation 4 General power to give directions

A Special Commissioner prior to the hearing of any proceedings, for the purpose of enabling the parties to prepare for the hearing or of assisting a Tribunal to determine any of the issues in those proceedings, may on the application of a party or of his own motion, give such directions as he thinks fit.

A Tribunal hearing any proceedings may, for the purpose of assisting the determination of any of the issues in those proceedings, on the application of a party or of its own motion, give such directions as it thinks fit.

An application by a party for any directions under this Part of these Regulations (otherwise than during a hearing) shall be made in writing to the Clerk and, unless it is accompanied by the written consent of all the parties, shall be served by the Clerk on any other party who might be affected by such directions.

If any such other party, by notice to the Special Commissioners and the other party or parties, objects to the directions sought in the application, the Special Commissioner concerned shall consider the objection and, if the application is not one in respect of which the parties are entitled to be heard under these Regulations, shall if he considers it necessary for the determination of the application, give the parties an opportunity to be heard.