Evidence and submissions
15.—(1) Without restriction on the general powers in rule 5(1) and (2) (case management powers), the Upper Tribunal may give directions as to—
(a)issues on which it requires evidence or submissions;
(b)the nature of the evidence or submissions it requires;
(c)whether the parties are permitted or required to provide expert evidence, and if so whether the parties must jointly appoint a single expert to provide such evidence;
(d)any limit on the number of witnesses whose evidence a party may put forward, whether in relation to a particular issue or generally;
(e)the manner in which any evidence or submissions are to be provided, which may include a direction for them to be given—
(i)orally at a hearing; or
(ii)by written submissions or witness statement; and
(f)the time at which any evidence or submissions are to be provided.
(2) The Upper Tribunal may—
(a)admit evidence whether or not—
(i)the evidence would be admissible in a civil trial in the United Kingdom; or
(ii)the evidence was available to a previous decision maker; or
(b)exclude evidence that would otherwise be admissible where—
(i)the evidence was not provided within the time allowed by a direction or a practice direction;
(ii)the evidence was otherwise provided in a manner that did not comply with a direction or a practice direction; or
(iii)it would otherwise be unfair to admit the evidence.
(3) The Upper Tribunal may consent to a witness giving, or require any witness to give, evidence on oath, and may administer an oath for that purpose.