The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Local Taxation Chamber (Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2022

Procedure at hearing S

12.—(1) At the beginning of a hearing the First-tier Tribunal must explain the procedure that will be followed during the hearing.

(2) A hearing must be held in public unless the First-tier Tribunal, on its own initiative or following an application by an appellant, decides that it is necessary that the hearing be held in private to ensure a fair hearing.

(3) Where, in accordance with paragraph (2), a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private, the First-tier Tribunal may, with the agreement of parties, permit any other person to attend that hearing or that part of it.

(4) The First-tier Tribunal may exclude from a hearing, or part of it, any person whose conduct has disrupted or is likely, in the opinion of the First-tier Tribunal, to disrupt that hearing or that part of it.

(5) The First-tier Tribunal may exclude from the hearing a person who is to appear as a witness until such time as that person gives evidence if it considers it is fair in all the circumstances to do so.

(6) A party at a hearing may conduct the case themselves (with the assistance of a supporter if they wish, in accordance with rule 15 (supporters)) or may be represented in the case in accordance with rule 13 (representatives).

(7) All hearings of the First-tier Tribunal in respect of appeals under Part 2 of these Rules must be recorded digitally.

(8) The First-tier Tribunal may prohibit photography, or any audio or visual recordings of the proceedings by parties—

(a) if it is satisfied that in the interests of justice such a prohibition is required, and

(b) except in so far as such photography or recording is required in order to make reasonable adjustments for a party or a party’s representative or supporter in accordance with the Equality Act 2010(1).

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. rule 12 in force at 1.4.2023, see reg. 1(2)

(1)

2010 c. 15.