PART 3Proceedings before the Tribunal

CHAPTER 1Before the final determination

Statements, reports and documents15

1

Subject to rule 17 (withholding documents or information likely to cause harm), when the Tribunal receives a document from any party it must send a copy of that document to each other party.

2

When the Tribunal receives an application or reference it must send to the responsible authority or the Secretary of State, as the case may be, a request for the documents and information required to be provided under paragraph (3), (4) or (5).

3

In proceedings under section 66(1)(a) of the Act (application for admission for assessment), on the earlier of receipt of the copy of the application or receipt of a request from the Tribunal, the responsible authority must send or deliver to the Tribunal by the commencement of the hearing—

a

the application for admission;

b

the written medical recommendation or recommendations, as the case may be, of the registered medical practitioners on which the application is founded;

c

such of the information specified in Part A of the Schedule as is within the knowledge of the responsible authority and can reasonably be provided in the time available; and

d

such of the reports specified in Part B of the Schedule as can reasonably be provided in the time available.

4

If the patient is a conditionally discharged patient the Secretary of State shall send to the Tribunal as soon as practicable, and in any event within 6 weeks of receipt by the Secretary of State of a copy of the application or request from the Tribunal, a statement which shall contain—

a

the information specified in Part C of the Schedule, in so far as it is within the knowledge of the Secretary of State; and

b

the reports specified in Part D of the Schedule, in so far as it is reasonably practicable to provide them.

5

If neither paragraph (3) nor (4) applies, the responsible authority must send a statement to the Tribunal as soon as practicable, and in any event within 3 weeks of receipt by the responsible authority of a copy of the application or receipt of a request from the Tribunal, a statement which shall contain—

a

the information specified in Part A of the Schedule, in so far as it is within the knowledge of the responsible authority;

b

the report specified in paragraph 1 of Part B of that Schedule; and

c

the other reports specified in Part B of the Schedule, in so far as it is reasonably practicable to provide them.

6

If the patient is a restricted patient the responsible authority must also send the statement under paragraph (5) to the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State must send a statement of any further relevant information to the Tribunal as soon as practicable and in any event—

a

in proceedings under section 75(1) of the Act, within 2 weeks of receipt by the Secretary of State of the relevant authority’s statement; or

b

otherwise, within 3 weeks of receipt by the Secretary of State of the relevant authority’s statement.

7

If the Welsh Ministers or Secretary of State wish to seek the approval of the Tribunal under section 86(3) of the Act, the Welsh Ministers or Secretary of State, as the case may be, must refer the patient’s case to the Tribunal and the provisions of these Rules applicable to references under the Act apply to the proceedings.