The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Revision) 1980

Hearing of reference

41.—(1) The Registrar may adjourn the hearing of a reference from time to time as he thinks fit.

(2) At or before the hearing of a reference, the Registrar may give a direction limiting the witnesses who may be called, whether expert witnesses or not, but any such direction may, on sufficient cause being shown, be revoked or varied by a subsequent direction given at or before the hearing.

(3) Subject to paragraph (2), evidence may be given orally or by affidavit or in such other manner as may be agreed upon.

(4) When the hearing of the reference has been concluded, the Registrar shall—

(a) reduce in writing his decision on the questions arising in the reference (including any order as to costs) and cause it to be filed;

(b) cause to be filed either with his decision or subsequently such statement (if any) on the grounds of the decision as he thinks fit; and

(c) send to the parties to the reference notice that he has done so.

(5) Where no statement of the grounds of the Registrar's decision is filed with his decision and no intimation has been given by the Registrar that he intends to file such a statement later, any party to the reference may, within 14 days after the filing of the decision, make a written request to the Registrar to file such a statement.