The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 2007

Amendments to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) Rules 2003

8.  After rule 9, insert—

“Directions hearing

9A.— (1) The Commission must, unless it orders otherwise, fix a directions hearing as soon as reasonably practicable after notice of appeal is filed under rule 7, at which the parties and their representatives, and any special advocate, may be present.

(2) At a directions hearing the Commission may give directions as to the order in which, and the time within which, the following documents are to be filed and served—

(a) the statement and any material to be filed by the Secretary of State under rule 10(1);

(b) any statement to be filed and served by the appellant under rule 10A(1);

(c) any application to be made by the appellant or the special advocate under rule 10A(5);

(d) any statement or material to be filed under rule 10A(2) or pursuant to a direction under rule 10A(7), or served under rule 10A(8), by the Secretary of State;

(e) closed material, to be served by the Secretary of State on the special advocate under rule 10(4), 10A(8)(a) or 37(3);

(f) any reply by the special advocate under rule 38(4)(a) to any objection by the Secretary of State to disclosure;

(g) any response by the Secretary of State under rule 38(4)(b) to the special advocate’s reply;

(h) any skeleton arguments on behalf of the parties and the special advocate.

(3) The Commission may also give directions as to the date of—

(a) any hearing of an application for bail under Part 6 of these Rules;

(b) any hearing under rule 38;

(c) the hearing of the appeal under rule 12.”.