16.—(1) Without restriction on the general powers in rule 5(1) and (2) (case management powers), the 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 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 submission or witness statement; and
(f)the time by which any evidence or submissions are to be provided.
(2) The Tribunal may—
(a)admit evidence whether or not—
(i)the evidence would be admissible in a civil trial in England or Wales; 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 Tribunal may consent to a witness giving, or require any witness to give, evidence on oath, and may administer an oath for that purpose.
(4) A witness statement must contain the words “I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true”, and be signed by the person who makes it.
(5) Where a witness who has made a witness statement is called to give oral evidence, their witness statement shall stand as their evidence in chief unless the Tribunal directs otherwise, but the witness may with the permission of the Tribunal—
(a)amplify the witness statement they have made; and
(b)give evidence in relation to new matters which have arisen since the witness statement was provided to the other parties.