Industrial Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Combined proceedings

18.—(1) Where there are two or more originating applications pending before the tribunals, and on the application of a party made by notice to the Secretary or of its own motion, it appears to a tribunal, that—

(a) a common question of law or fact arises in some or all the originating applications; or

(b) the relief sought in some or all of those originating applications is in respect of or arises out of the same set of facts; or

(c) for any other reason it is desirable to make an order under this rule,

the tribunal may order that such of the originating applications as may be specified shall be considered together, and may give such consequential directions as may be necessary.

(2) The tribunal shall only make an order under this rule if—

(a) each of the parties concerned has been given an opportunity at a hearing to show cause why such an order should not be made; or

(b) it has sent notice to all the parties concerned giving them an opportunity to show such cause.

(3) The tribunal may, on the application of a party made by notice to the Secretary or of its own motion, vary or set aside an order made under this rule but shall not do so unless it has given each party an opportunity to make either oral or written representations before the order is varied or set aside.