Pre-hearing review
18.—(1) Where it appears to the tribunal that any proceedings would be facilitated by holding a pre-hearing review, taking into account the criteria set out in paragraph (3) below, the tribunal may on the request of a party or of its own motion, give directions for such a review to be held. The Registrar shall give the parties not less than fourteen days notice, or such shorter notice as the parties agree, of the time and place of the pre-hearing review.
(2) The pre-hearing review shall be in private unless the tribunal otherwise directs.
(3) The purpose of the pre-hearing review shall be–
(a)to ensure the efficient conduct of the proceedings;
(b)to determine the points on which the parties must present further argument or which call for further evidence to be produced;
(c)to clarify the forms of order sought by the parties, their arguments on fact and law and the points at issue between them;
(d)to ensure that all agreements that can be reached between the parties about the matters in issue and the conduct of the proceedings are made and recorded;
(e)to facilitate the settlement of the proceedings.
(4) The tribunal may authorise a person qualified for appointment to the panel of chairmen to carry out on its behalf the pre-hearing review or any other preparatory measure relating to the organisation or disposal of the proceedings.