The Education Administration Rules 2018

Witness statements and reports

4.21.—(1) Where the Act or these Rules require evidence as to a matter, such evidence may be given by witness statement unless—

(a) in a specific case a rule or the Act makes different provision; or

(b) the court otherwise directs.

(2) Unless either the provision of the Act or rule under which the application is made provides otherwise or the court directs otherwise—

(a) if the applicant intends to rely at the first hearing on evidence in a witness statement or report, the applicant must file the witness statement or report with the court and serve a copy of it on the respondent not less than 14 days before the date fixed for the hearing; and

(b) where the respondent intends to oppose the application and rely for that purpose on evidence contained in a witness statement or report, the respondent must file the witness statement or report with the court and serve a copy of it on the applicant not less than five business days before the date fixed for the hearing.

(3) The court may order a person who has made a witness statement or written report to attend for cross-examination.

(4) Where a person who has been ordered to attend fails to do so the witness statement or report must not be used in evidence without the court’s permission.