A claimant may withdraw all or part of his claim at any time. This may be done either orally at a hearing or in writing in accordance with paragraph (2).

To withdraw a claim or part of one in writing the claimant must inform the Office of the Tribunals of the claim or the parts of it which are to be withdrawn. Where there is more than one respondent the notification must specify against which respondents the claim is being withdrawn.

The Secretary shall inform all other parties of the withdrawal. Withdrawal takes effect on the date on which the Office of the Tribunals (in the case of written notifications) or the tribunal (in the case of oral notification) receives notice of it. Withdrawal does not affect proceedings as to costs, preparation time or wasted costs.

Where the whole claim is withdrawn, proceedings are brought to an end against the respondent on that date and the tribunal or chairman shall dismiss the proceedings. The proceedings cannot be continued by the claimant (unless the decision to dismiss is successfully reviewed or appealed).

The time limit in paragraph (4) may be extended by a chairman if he considers it just and equitable to do so.