15.—(1) The Tribunal must not make a direction under rule 12(e) to vary any time limit provided by these Rules or by a previous direction of the Tribunal, unless it is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so.
(2) Before making a direction to vary any time limit, the Tribunal must consider—
(a)whether the appeal should be dealt with as a matter of urgency; and
(b)any objections raised.
(3) The Tribunal may direct that a time limit be extended whether or not that time limit has already expired.
(4) A time limit which has previously been extended may from time to time be further extended by directions of the Tribunal, whether or not that, or any subsequent such time limit, has already expired.
(5) Before making a direction under paragraph (4) to further extend a time limit, the Tribunal must consider whether paragraph (2) applies in the circumstances.
(6) Where a party files a response document or list later than any time limit imposed by, or extended under, these Rules but without applying for a direction under rule 12(e) extending the time limit, that party must be treated as applying for such a direction.
(7) If a response document or list is not filed in accordance with the time limit imposed by, or extended under, these Rules, the Tribunal may of its own initiative, direct that the document or list be filed by a specified date.