12.—(1) In proceedings in which an independent expert has been required to prepare a report, the Secretary shall send him notices and inform him of any hearing, application, order or decision in those proceedings as if he were a party to those proceedings.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt, any requirement in this Schedule to hold a stage 1 or a stage 2 equal value hearing does not preclude holding more than one of each of those types of hearing or other hearings from being held in accordance with Schedule 1.
(3) Any power conferred on a chairman in Schedule 1 may (subject to the provisions of this Schedule) be carried out by a tribunal or a chairman in relation to proceedings to which this Schedule applies.