Part 5: Hearings
Decision with or without a hearing
34 (1)Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Upper Tribunal may make any decision without a hearing.
(2)The Upper Tribunal must have regard to any view expressed by a party when deciding whether to hold a hearing to consider any matter, and the form of any such hearing.
(3)In immigration judicial review proceedings, the Upper Tribunal must hold a hearing before making a decision which disposes of proceedings.
(4)Paragraph (3) does not affect the power of the Upper Tribunal to–
(a)strike out a party’s case, pursuant to rule 8(1)(b) or 8(2);
(b)consent to withdrawal, pursuant to rule 17;
(c)determine an application for permission to bring judicial review proceedings, pursuant to rule 30; or
(d)make a consent order disposing of proceedings, pursuant to rule 39,
without a hearing.
Entitlement to attend a hearing
35 (1)Subject to rule 37(4) (exclusion of a person from a hearing), each party is entitled to attend a hearing.
(2)In a national security certificate appeal the relevant Minister is entitled to attend any hearing.
Notice of hearings
36 (1)The Upper Tribunal must give each party entitled to attend a hearing reasonable notice of the time and place of the hearing (including any adjourned or postponed hearing) and any change to the time and place of the hearing.
(2)The period of notice under paragraph (1) must be at least 14 days except that–
(a)in applications for permission to bring judicial review proceedings, the period of notice must be at least 2 working days; and
(aa)in a fast-track case the period of notice must be at least one working day; and
(b)in any case other than a fast-track case the Upper Tribunal may give shorter notice–
(i)with the parties’ consent; or(ii)in urgent or exceptional cases.
Special time limits for hearing an appeal in a fast-track case
36A (1)Subject to rule 36(2)(aa) (notice of hearings) and paragraph (2) of this rule, where permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal has been given in a fast-track case, the Upper Tribunal must start the hearing of the appeal not later than–
(a)five working days after the date on which the First-tier Tribunal or the Upper Tribunal sent notice of its grant of permission to appeal to the appellant; or
(b)where the notice of its grant of permission to appeal is sent electronically or delivered personally, two working days after the date on which the First-tier Tribunal or the Upper Tribunal sent notice of its grant of permission to appeal to the appellant.
(2)If the Upper Tribunal is unable to arrange for the hearing to start within the time specified in paragraph (1), it must set a date for the hearing as soon as is reasonably practicable.
Public and private hearings
37 (1)Subject to the following paragraphs, all hearings must be held in public.
(2)The Upper Tribunal may give a direction that a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private.
(2A)In a national security certificate appeal, the Upper Tribunal must have regard to its duty under rule 14(10) (no disclosure of information contrary to the interests of national security) when considering whether to give a direction that a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private.
(3)Where a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private, the Upper Tribunal may determine who is entitled to attend the hearing or part of it.
(4)The Upper Tribunal may give a direction excluding from any hearing, or part of it–
(a)any person whose conduct the Upper Tribunal considers is disrupting or is likely to disrupt the hearing;
(b)any person whose presence the Upper Tribunal considers is likely to prevent another person from giving evidence or making submissions freely;
(c)any person who the Upper Tribunal considers should be excluded in order to give effect to the requirement at rule 14(11) (prevention of disclosure or publication of documents and information);
(d)any person where the purpose of the hearing would be defeated by the attendance of that person; or
(e)a person under 18, other than a young person who is a party in a special educational needs case or a disability discrimination in schools case.
(5)The Upper Tribunal may give a direction excluding a witness from a hearing until that witness gives evidence.
Hearings in a party’s absence
38If a party fails to attend a hearing, the Upper Tribunal may proceed with the hearing if the Upper Tribunal–
(a)is satisfied that the party has been notified of the hearing or that reasonable steps have been taken to notify the party of the hearing; and
(b)considers that it is in the interests of justice to proceed with the hearing.