The Land Registration (Hearings Procedure) Rules 2000

PART IV DETERMINATION OF APPLICATIONS

Hearings to be in public: exceptions

15.—(1) Hearings must be in public unless and to the extent that the Registrar is satisfied that it is just and reasonable to exclude the public.

(2) The requirement for a hearing to be in public does not require the Registrar to make special arrangements for accommodating members of the public.

(3) The Registrar may exclude from the hearing, or any part of it, any person whose conduct has disrupted or is likely, in the opinion of the Registrar, to disrupt the hearing.

Absence of parties

16.—(1) If any party does not attend and is not represented at any hearing of which he has received notice in accordance with these rules, the Registrar may:

(a) unless he is satisfied that the reasons for absence are justified, hear and determine the application in the party’s absence; or

(b) adjourn the hearing.

(2) Before deciding any application in the absence of any party, the Registrar must consider all evidence and written representations already submitted by the absent party.

Decision of Registrar

17.—(1) The decision of the Registrar may be given orally at the end of the hearing or reserved and in every case, including where the Registrar decides a matter without an oral hearing under rule 299(2) of the principal rules, must be recorded in an order under the seal of the Land Registry and served by the Registrar on every party to the proceedings to which it relates.

(2) The Registrar may at any time correct an accidental slip or omission in any order.

(3) The Registrar must send to all parties his reasons in writing for any order which finally disposes of a matter unless it was made after delivery of a reasoned judgment at the hearing.