The Welsh Language Tribunal Rules 2015

Summoning a witness

41.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (5), the Tribunal may, on the application of a party or on the Tribunal’s own initiative, require by summons any person to attend as a witness at a hearing at such time and place as may be specified in the summons, and at any postponement or adjournment of that hearing, and at the hearing to answer any questions or produce any documents or other material in the person’s custody or under the person’s control which relate to any matter in question in the appeal or claim.

(2) No person must be compelled to give any evidence or produce any document or other material that the person could not be compelled to give or produce at a trial of an action in a court of law in England or Wales.

(3) In exercising the power conferred by this rule, the Tribunal must take into account the need to protect any matter that relates to intimate personal circumstances or financial circumstances or consists of information communicated or obtained in confidence.

(4) No person may be required to attend in compliance with a summons unless that person has been given at least 5 working days’ notice of the hearing or, if less than 5 working days, that person has informed the Tribunal that the person accepts the notice given.

(5) No person may be required in compliance with a summons to attend and give evidence or to produce any document unless a sum reasonably sufficient to cover the necessary expenses of the person’s attendance has been paid or tendered.

(6) A party seeking a witness summons must apply in writing to the Secretary of the Tribunal at least 8 working days before the hearing, or later if the person to whom the summons is to be addressed consents in writing.

(7) A witness summons must contain—

(a) a statement that any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with any requirement to attend to give evidence and, if the summons so requires, to produce documents, is liable, under section 126 of the Measure, on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, and

(b) a statement of the effect of paragraph (8).

(8) A person to whom a witness summons is addressed may apply to the Tribunal, by written notice to the Secretary of the Tribunal, to vary it or set it aside.

(9) The Tribunal must not vary or set aside a witness summons without first notifying the party who applied for the issue of the witness summons and considering any representations made by that party.