20.—(1) This paragraph applies if—N.I.
(a)the Court accepts an application under paragraph 11(2) or 12(2),
(b)the parties have agreed an appropriate bargaining unit at the end of the appropriate period[F1 (defined by paragraph 18)], or the Court has decided an appropriate bargaining unit, and
(c)that bargaining unit differs from the proposed bargaining unit.
(2) Within the decision period the Court must decide whether the application is invalid within the terms of paragraphs 43 to 50.
(3) In deciding whether the application is invalid, the Court must consider any evidence which it has been given by the employer or the union (or unions).
(4) If the Court decides that the application is invalid—
(a)the Court must give notice of its decision to the parties,
(b)the Court must not proceed with the application, and
(c)no further steps are to be taken under this Part.
(5) If the Court decides that the application is not invalid it must—
(a)proceed with the application, and
(b)give notice to the parties that it is so proceeding.
(6) The decision period is—
(a)the period of 10 working days starting with the day after that on which the parties agree an appropriate bargaining unit or the Court decides an appropriate bargaining unit, or
(b)such longer period (so starting) as the Court may specify to the parties by notice containing reasons for the extension.