The Deregistration and Exchange of Common Land and Greens (Procedure) (Wales) Regulations 2012

Hearings and inquiries: general provisions

12.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs of this regulation, and to regulations 13 and 15, the procedure at a hearing or inquiry is to be determined by the inspector.

(2) Any person interested in the subject-matter of a hearing or inquiry may appear at the hearing or inquiry in person or by a representative.

(3) The inspector may, at any stage of a hearing or inquiry, prevent any person from—

(a) giving evidence,

(b) cross-examining a person giving evidence, or

(c) presenting any matter,

if the inspector considers it to be irrelevant or repetitious.

(4) The inspector may, if the inspector considers that a person is behaving in a disruptive manner—

(a) require the person to leave a hearing or inquiry,

(b) prevent the person from participating in the hearing or inquiry by giving evidence, cross-examining a person giving evidence, or presenting any matter, or

(c) permit the person to remain at, or participate in, the hearing or inquiry only on specified conditions.

(5) The inspector may proceed with a hearing or inquiry in the absence of any person entitled to appear at it.

(6) The inspector may take into account any written representations or evidence or any other document received by the inspector from any person before or during a hearing or inquiry, provided that the inspector discloses it at the hearing or inquiry.

(7) The inspector may—

(a) adjourn a hearing or inquiry to another date;

(b) adjourn a hearing or inquiry to the site of the release land or any replacement land, and conduct part of the hearing or inquiry at that site in conjunction with a site inspection.