6.3.—(1) Where a person entitled to begin, prosecute or defend any proceedings to which this rule applies, is a minor to whom this Part applies, he may subject to paragraph (3), begin, prosecute or defend, as the case may be, such proceedings without a next friend or guardian ad litem—
(a)where he has obtained the leave of the court for that purpose; or
(b)where a solicitor—
(i)considers that the minor is able, having regard to his understanding, to give instructions in relation to the proceedings; and
(ii)has accepted instructions from the minor to act for him in the proceedings and, where the proceedings have begun, is so acting.
(2) A minor shall be entitled to apply for the leave of the court under paragraph (1)(a) without a next friend or guardian ad litem either—
(a)by filing a written request for leave setting out the reasons for the application, or
(b)by making an oral request for leave at any hearing in the proceedings.
(3) On considering a request for leave filed under paragraph (2)(a), the court shall either—
(a)grant the request, whereupon the proper officer or chief clerk shall communicate the decision to the minor and, where the leave relates to the prosecution or defence of existing proceedings, to the other parties to those proceedings, or
(b)direct that the request be heard ex parte, whereupon the proper officer or chief clerk shall fix a date for such a hearing and give to the minor making the request such notice of the date so fixed as the court may direct.
(4) Where a minor has a next friend or guardian ad litem in proceedings and the minor wishes to prosecute or defend the remaining stages of the proceedings without a next friend or guardian ad litem, the minor may apply to the court for leave for that purpose and for the removal of the next friend or guardian ad litem; and paragraph (2) shall apply to the application as if it were an application under paragraph (1)(a).
(5) On considering a request filed under paragraph (2) by virtue of paragraph (4), the court shall either—
(a)grant the request, whereupon the proper officer or chief clerk shall communicate the decision to the minor and next friend or guardian ad litem concerned and to all other parties to the proceedings, or
(b)direct that the request be heard, whereupon the proper officer or chief clerk shall fix a date for such a hearing and give to the minor and next friend or guardian ad litem concerned such notice of the date so fixed as the court may direct;
provided that the court may act under sub-paragraph (a) only if it is satisfied that the next friend or guardian ad litem does not oppose the request.
(6) Where the court is considering whether to—
(a)grant leave under paragraph (1)(a), or
(b)grant leave under paragraph (4) and remove a next friend or guardian ad litem,
it shall grant the leave sought and, as the case may be, remove the next friend or guardian ad litem if it considers that the minor concerned has sufficient understanding to participate as a party in the proceedings concerned or proposed without a next friend or guardian ad litem.
(7) Where a request for leave is granted at a hearing fixed under paragraph (3)(b) (in relation to the prosecution or defence of proceedings already begun) or (5)(b), the proper officer or chief clerk shall forthwith communicate the decision to the other parties to the proceedings.
(8) The court may revoke any leave granted under paragraph (1)(a) where it considers that the child does not have sufficient understanding to participate as a party in the proceedings concerned without a next friend or guardian ad litem.
(9) Without prejudice to any requirement of C.C.R. Order 43, rule 2 or R.S.C. Order 67, where a solicitor is acting for a minor in proceedings which the minor is prosecuting or defending without a next friend or guardian ad litem by virtue of paragraph (1)(b) and either of the conditions specified in the paragraph (1)(b)(i) and (ii) cease to be fulfilled, he shall forthwith so inform the court.
(10) Where—
(a)the court revokes any leave under paragraph (8), or
(b)either of the conditions specified in paragraph (1)(b)(i) and (ii) is no longer fulfilled,
the court may, if it considers it necessary in order to protect the interests of the minor concerned, order that some proper person be appointed his next friend or guardian ad litem.
(11) Where a minor is of sufficient understanding to begin, prosecute or defend proceedings without a next friend or guardian ad litem—
(a)he may nevertheless begin, prosecute or defend them by his next friend or guardian ad litem; and
(b)where he is prosecuting or defending proceedings by his next friend or guardian ad litem, the respective powers and duties of the minor and next friend or guardian ad litem, except those conferred or imposed by this rule shall not be affected by the minor’s ability to dispense with a next friend or guardian ad litem under the provisions of this rule.