15.—(1) The Department may prescribe—
(a)one or more versions of a form which shall be used by claimants to start proceedings in a tribunal;
(b)one or more versions of a form which shall be used by respondents to respond to a claim before a tribunal; and
(c)that the provision of certain information on the prescribed forms is mandatory.
(2) It is not necessary to use a form prescribed under paragraph (1) if the proceedings are—
(a)referred to a tribunal by a court;
(b)proceedings in which a tribunal will be exercising its appellate jurisdiction; or
(c)proceedings brought by the employer under Article 43 of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996(1).
(3) The Department shall publish the prescribed forms in an appropriate manner to bring them to the attention of prospective claimants, respondents and their advisers.