Part 2Hearings

Procedure at hearing

rule 8 + 8.—(1) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules the inspector must determine the procedure at a hearing.

(2) At the start of the hearing the inspector must summarise the main issues set out in the statement published by the Secretary of State under rule 6.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), a person entitled to appear at a hearing is to be given the opportunity to make oral representations but the length of representations may be limited by the inspector.

(4) The inspector may refuse to permit the making of oral representations on any matter which they consider to be repetitious or irrelevant.

(5) The inspector may require any person appearing or present at the hearing who, in the opinion of the inspector, is behaving in a disruptive manner to leave and—

rule 8 5 a + (a)refuse to permit that person to return, or

rule 8 5 b + (b)permit that person to return only on such conditions as the inspector may specify.

(6) Any person who is required to leave and is not permitted to return or who does not return may submit written representations to the inspector before the close of the hearing.

(7) The inspector may proceed with a hearing in the absence of any person entitled to appear at it.

(8) The inspector may adjourn a hearing, and if the date, time and place of the adjourned hearing are announced at the hearing before the adjournment, no further notice is required.