The Valuation Tribunal Rules (Northern Ireland) 2007

General power to manage proceedings

9.—(1) The Valuation Tribunal may, either on its own initiative or on the application of a party, make such interim orders as it considers necessary or desirable in relation to an appeal before it.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Valuation Tribunal may make an interim order—

(a) as to the manner in which an appeal is to be conducted, including any time limit to be observed;

(b) that a party provide additional information;

(c) requiring the attendance of any person in Northern Ireland to give evidence or to produce documents;

(d) extending any time limit, whether or not expired (including any time limit for instituting an appeal);

(e) requiring the provision of written answers to questions put by it;

(f) staying the whole or part of any proceedings;

(g) that part of the proceedings be dealt with separately;

(h) that any person who the Valuation Tribunal considers has an interest in the appeal may be joined as a party to the proceedings;

(i) that a witness statement be prepared or exchanged; or

(j) as to the use of experts or interpreters in the proceedings.

(3) An interim order may specify the time at, or within which and the place at which, any act is required to be done.

(4) An interim order may impose conditions.

(5) An interim order which requires a person to act or refrain from acting shall, as appropriate, include a statement of the possible consequences under rule 10 of a party’s failure to comply with it within the time allowed by the Valuation Tribunal.

(6) An interim order containing a requirement described in paragraph (1)(c) shall state that, under paragraph 11(2) of Schedule 9B to the 1977 Order, any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the requirement shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.

(7) An application for an interim order (otherwise than during a hearing) shall be made to the Secretary in writing and shall set out the reasons for the application.

(8) The Secretary shall send a copy of an application under paragraph (7) to the other parties, unless the application has been accompanied by the written consent of all the other parties to the making of the interim order.

(9) A party who objects to an application under paragraph (7) may, within 14 days of the Secretary sending the copy of the application to him, deliver to the Secretary a notice of objection, which shall be in writing and shall set out the reasons for objecting to the making of the interim order.

(10) The Secretary shall send a copy of a notice of objection received by him under paragraph (9) to the other parties.

(11) Before making an interim order, the Valuation Tribunal shall consider any objections it may have received and, if it considers it necessary for deciding the application, shall give the applicant and the parties an opportunity of being present or represented before it.

(12) The Valuation Tribunal may vary or revoke an interim order upon an application made in accordance with paragraph (7) by—

(a) a party; or

(b) where an interim order imposes a requirement, by the person subject to the requirement.

(13) The President or a legal member may exercise the powers of the Valuation Tribunal under this rule.