Subject to paragraph (2) and regulation 36, the third stage meeting shall take place before the end of 30 working days beginning with the first working day after the day on which a notice has been given to the member concerned under regulation 27 or 29.

The panel chair may extend the time period specified in paragraph (1) where he considers that it would be in the interests of fairness to do so.

Where the panel chair extends the time period under paragraph (2), he shall provide written notification of his reasons for so doing to the appropriate authority and the member concerned.

The panel chair shall, if reasonably practicable, agree a date and time for the third stage meeting with the member concerned.

Where no date and time is agreed under paragraph (4), the panel chair shall specify a date and time for the third stage meeting.

The panel chair shall give to the member concerned a notice in writing of the date and time of the third stage meeting determined in accordance with this regulation and of the place of the meeting.

Where the member concerned informs the panel chair in advance that he is unable to attend the third stage meeting on grounds which the panel chair considers reasonable, the panel chair may allow the member concerned to participate in the meeting by video link or other means.