Joint Hearing

These are preliminary hearings held where the proceedings have not been "joined".

Proceedings are "joined" when the forms commencing the proceedings have been accepted, sent to the defending party and they have filed a defence. Prior to the filing of the defence there are no proceedings before the Registrar.

For a joint hearing to take place there is an issue over the actual commencement of the proceedings. Normally this will be a technical issue relating to the form filed to start the proceedings, this form and statement of case has not yet been sent to the defending party and they have not yet been invited to file their defence.

The party wishing to commence the proceedings will be given a period of time within which to request a hearing and the defending party will be invited to attend any hearing.

Decisions at joint hearings are normally given orally at the conclusion of the hearing and a full written decision can be requested if a party wishes to appeal that decision.