8.18It is convenient to deal here with the position of a person who wishes to be removed as a party. A person who wishes to be removed as a party must apply using form COP9.1COPR r76; see also paras 11.19 onwards. There is no guidance in either the COPR or the accompanying practice directions as to the test that the court will apply (nor are there any reported decisions on the point), but logic suggests that the application will be granted only if the court considers that the continued participation of the person as a party is no longer desirable for the purpose of dealing with the application. As a half-way house, and in line with the overriding objective in COPR r3, courts will sometimes allow parties to cease to play any active steps for certain stages in the proceedings where their contribution will not be required at all points (or will provide that the party in question only need file documentation or attend directions hearings ‘if so advised’).