9.—(1) An application shall be given in writing.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (1) and subject to paragraph (3), that requirement shall be satisfied in a case where—

(a) The text of the application—

(i) is transmitted by electronic means;

(ii) is capable of being accessed by the recipient;

(iii) is legible in all material respects; and

(iv) is capable of being read and reproduced in legible written form and used for subsequent reference;

(b) the person to whom the application is to be given has agreed in advance that an application may be given to them by those means; and

(c) forthwith on sending the text of the application by electronic means, the application is given to the recipient in writing.

(3) Where the text of the application is transmitted by electronic means, the giving of the application shall be effected at the time the requirements of paragraph 2(a) are satisfied, provided that where any application is required to be accompanied by a fee, or any document that application shall not be treated as given until the fee or document has been received by the relevant licensing authority.