9.—(1) Before proceeding to a hearing under rule 10, the fitness assessment tribunal must hold a preliminary hearing.
(2) The clerk to the fitness assessment tribunal must give the parties written notice of the date, time and place of the preliminary hearing.
(3) At the preliminary hearing, the fitness assessment tribunal may—
(a)confirm with the member of the Scottish Tax Tribunals what facts, if any, are in dispute;
(b)hear argument from the parties on and decide any legal or other preliminary issue raised in any written response or supplementary written response lodged under rule 5;
(c)make any case management directions, including directions as to the lodging of documents or the attendance of witnesses, that it considers necessary for the future conduct of the proceedings; and
(d)fix a hearing under rule 10.