Article 13 Directions

(1)

Subject to any decision which it makes under rule 11 and to the need to secure that information is not disclosed contrary to the public interest, the Commission may give directions for the conduct of proceedings.

(2)

Directions may—

(a)

provide for a particular matter to be dealt with as a preliminary issue and for a pre-hearing review to be held;

(b)

limit the length of oral submissions and the time allowed for the examination and cross-examination of witnesses;

(c)

require any party to the appeal to give to the Commission—

(i)

statements of facts and statements of the evidence which will be called at any hearing, including such statements provided in a modified or edited form;

(ii)

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

(iii)

an estimate of the time which will be needed for any hearing;

(iv)

a list of the witnesses who will be called to give evidence;

(v)

a chronology of events;

(vi)

a statement of any interpretation requirements,

and to serve any such material on the other parties to the appeal.

(3)

The Commission may, subject to any specific provisions of the Rules, specify time limits for steps to be taken in the proceedings and may extend any time limit.

(4)

The power to give directions may be exercised in the absence of the parties.