143.—(1) On an application for an order under section 18 of the Act made in respect of proceedings in the Supreme Court (except proceedings on appeal from a county court) or in the House of Lords, the court shall not make an order forthwith, but may in its discretion–
(a)refer the application to a master or registrar for hearing and determination; or
(b)adjourn the hearing of the application; or
(c)dismiss the application,
and, in relation to proceedings in the Court of Appeal, “registrar” means the registrar of civil appeals or, in respect of appeals from the Employment Appeal Tribunal or from the Restrictive Practices Court, the registrar of that Tribunal or Court, as the case may be.
(2) Where the application is referred to a registrar under paragraph (1)(a), the provisions of regulations 139 and 142 shall apply with any necessary modifications.