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  6. Postponements
Procedural matters relating to tribunal hearings

Postponements

  1. Prior to the start of any hearing, both parties (the GMC and PA or AA) are entitled to apply to the MPTS for the hearing to be postponed to another date.9 All postponement applications are decided ahead of the hearing by an MPTS case manager.10

  2. Once an AT hearing has started it may be adjourned by the tribunal. Before the hearing reconvenes, both parties can apply to the MPTS for a further adjournment. Further adjournment applications can be decided ahead of the hearing by an MPTS case manager.

  3. When considering an application to postpone an interim measure tribunal (IMT) hearing, or postpone or further adjourn an AT hearing, the MPTS case manager will apply the Guidance for decision makers, parties and representations on postponing IMT and AT hearings.

  4. If the MPTS case manager agrees to the postponement, a new hearing date will be scheduled by the MPTS Case Management team.

  5. In cases where the MPTS case manager does not agree to the request for the postponement, then the hearing will go ahead as planned. If the parties wish to seek an adjournment once the hearing has started, they will need to apply to the tribunal.

9 Rule 37(1).

10 The MPTS case manager may also postpone the hearing of their own motion, but this is unusual.