The Trade Marks Rules 2008

General powers of registrar in relation to proceedings

62.—(1) Except where the Act or these Rules otherwise provide, the registrar may give such directions as to the management of any proceedings as the registrar thinks fit, and in particular may—

(a) require a document, information or evidence to be filed within such period as the registrar may specify;

(b) require a translation of any document;

(c) require a party or a party’s legal representative to attend a hearing;

(d) hold a hearing by telephone or by using any other method of direct oral communication;

(e) allow a statement of case to be amended;

(f) stay the whole, or any part, of the proceedings either generally or until a specified date or event;

(g) consolidate proceedings;

(h) direct that part of any proceedings be dealt with as separate proceedings;

(i) exclude any evidence which the registrar considers to be inadmissible.

(2) The registrar may control the evidence by giving directions as to—

(a) the issues on which evidence is required; and

(b) the way in which the evidence is to be placed before the registrar.

(3) When the registrar gives directions under any provision of these Rules, the registrar may—

(a) make them subject to conditions; and

(b) specify the consequences of failure to comply with the directions or a condition.

(4) The registrar may at any stage of any proceedings direct that the parties to the proceedings attend a case management conference or pre-hearing review.