Preliminary hearing
This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum
19.—(1) The Tribunal may direct that any question of fact or law which appears to be in issue in relation to the reference be determined at a preliminary hearing.
(2) If, in the opinion of the Tribunal, the determination of that question substantially disposes of the reference, the Tribunal may treat the preliminary hearing as the hearing of the reference and may make such order by way of disposing of the reference as it thinks fit.
(3) If the parties so agree in writing, the Tribunal may determine the question without an oral hearing, but, in any such case, the Tribunal may not at the same time dispose of the reference unless the parties have agreed in writing that it may do so.