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

Procedure at hearing

10.—(1) The tribunal shall, so far as it appears to it appropriate, seek to avoid formality in its proceedings and shall not be bound by any statutory provision or rule of law relating to the admissibility of evidence in proceedings before the courts of law. The tribunal shall make such enquiries of persons appearing before it and witnesses as it considers appropriate and shall otherwise conduct the hearing in such manner as it considers most appropriate for the clarification of the issues before it and generally to the just handling of the proceedings.

(2) Subject to paragraph (1), at the hearing of the appeal a party shall be entitled to give evidence, to call witnesses, to question any witnesses and to address the tribunal.

(3) If the appellant or the Board or both of them shall fail to attend or to be represented at the time and place fixed for a hearing the tribunal may dispose of the appeal in the absence of such party or parties or may adjourn the hearing to a later date: provided that before disposing of an appeal in the absence of either or both parties the tribunal shall consider any written representations sent by such party or parties under these Rules.

(4) A tribunal may require any witness to give evidence on oath or affirmation and for that purpose there may be administered an oath or affirmation in due form.