Part XIV Miscellaneous and General Provisions
Local inquiries and other hearings
C1267 Procedure on certain appeals and applications.
1
The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe the procedure to be followed in connection with proceedings under this Act where he is required, before reaching a decision, to afford any person an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by him and which are to be disposed of without an inquiry or hearing to which rules under section 9 of the M1Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 apply.
2
The regulations may in particular make provision as to the procedure to be followed—
a
where steps have been taken with a view to the holding of such an inquiry or hearing which does not take place, or
b
where steps have been taken with a view to the determination of any matter by a person appointed by the Secretary of State and the proceedings are the subject of a direction that the matter shall instead be determined by the Secretary of State, or
c
where steps have been taken in pursuance of such a direction and a further direction is made revoking that direction,
and may provide that such steps shall be treated as compliance, in whole or in part, with the requirements of the regulations.
3
The regulations may also—
a
provide for a time limit within which any party to the proceedings must lodge written submissions and any supporting documents,
b
prescribe the time limit (which may be different for different classes of proceedings) or enable the Secretary of State to give directions setting the time limit in a particular case or class of case,
c
empower the Secretary of State to proceed to a decision taking into account only such written submissions and supporting documents as were lodged within the time limit, and
d
empower the Secretary of State, after giving the parties written notice of his intention to do so, to proceed to a decision notwithstanding that no written submissions were lodged within the time limit, if it appears to him that he has sufficient material before him to enable him to reach a decision on the merits of the case.