The Valuation Tribunal for England (Council Tax and Rating Appeals) (Procedure) Regulations 2009

Use of documents and information

16.—(1) The VTE may make an order prohibiting the disclosure or publication of—

(a) specified documents or information relating to the proceedings; or

(b) any matter likely to lead members of the public to identify any person whom the VTE considers should not be identified.

(2) The VTE may give a direction prohibiting the disclosure of information to a person if—

(a) the VTE is satisfied that such disclosure would be likely to cause that person or some other person serious harm; and

(b) the VTE is satisfied, having regard to the interests of justice, that it is proportionate to give such a direction.

(3) If a party (“the first party”) considers that the VTE should give a direction under paragraph (2) prohibiting the disclosure of information to another party (“the second party”), the first party must—

(a) exclude the relevant document or information from any documents that will be provided to the second party; and

(b) provide to the VTE the excluded document or information, and the reason for its exclusion, so that the VTE may decide whether the document or information should be disclosed to the second party or should be the subject of a direction under paragraph (2).

(4) The VTE must conduct proceedings as appropriate in order to give effect to a direction under paragraph (2).

(5) If the VTE gives a direction under paragraph (2) which prevents disclosure to a party who has appointed a representative, the VTE may give a direction that the documents or information be disclosed to that representative if the VTE is satisfied that—

(a) disclosure to the representative would be in the interests of the party; and

(b) the representative will act in accordance with paragraph (6).

(6) Documents or information disclosed to a representative in accordance with a direction under paragraph (5) must not be disclosed either directly or indirectly to any other person without the VTE’s consent.