PART 5Hearings and inquiries
Proofs of evidence – inquiries15
1
This regulation applies where a person entitled to appear at an inquiry intends to give, or to call a witness to give, evidence at the inquiry.
2
The person must, at least 4 weeks before the inquiry date or such other time as the appointed person directs, send a proof of the evidence intended to be given together with any written summary required to the Secretary of State.
3
The Secretary of State must, as soon as practicable after receiving a proof of evidence, send a copy of it to the appellant, the Authority and any other person who has sent a proof.
4
A written summary is required if the proof of evidence in question exceeds 1500 words.
5
Where a written summary is provided, only that summary may be read at the inquiry, unless the appointed person directs otherwise.
6
Where a person gives evidence at an inquiry by reading a summary of a proof of evidence—
a
the proof of evidence is treated as tendered in evidence, unless the person required to provide the summary notifies the appointed person that the person now wishes to rely on the contents of that summary alone; and
b
the person whose evidence the proof of evidence contains may then be subject to cross-examination on it to the same extent as if it were evidence given orally.
7
The appointed person may allow any person to alter or add to a proof of evidence or summary so far as may be necessary for the purposes of the inquiry.
8
But if this is done, the appointed person must (if necessary by adjourning the inquiry) give every other person appearing at the inquiry an adequate opportunity of considering any fresh matter or document.
9
This regulation is subject to regulation 17.