Procedure at hearing
8.—(1) Where a case is to be determined at a hearing, the chairman of the tribunal shall cause the appellant and the respondent to be given notice of the date of the hearing not less than 28 days, or such shorter period as may with the agreement of both parties be determined, before the hearing begins.
(2) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972(1) (powers in relation to local inquiries) shall apply to the hearing as if–
(a)references to a local inquiry were references to a hearing held under Schedule 6 to the Act;
(b)references to the person appointed to hold the inquiry, or to the person holding the inquiry, were references to the chairman of the tribunal; and
(c)references to that section were references to this rule.
(3) The tribunal may proceed with the hearing in the absence of either party, whether represented or not, if it appears to be just and proper to do so, and may adjourn it from time to time as may appear necessary for the due hearing of the case.
(4) Subject to these Rules, the procedure at a hearing shall be determined by the tribunal.