Request to be treated as an applicant or respondent6

1

Any person may make a request to the tribunal to be joined as a party to the proceedings.

2

Any request under paragraph (1)—

a

may be made without notice; and

b

shall specify whether the person making the request wishes to be treated as—

i

an applicant; or

ii

a respondent

to the application.

3

The tribunal may grant or refuse a request under paragraph (1).

4

As soon as possible after reaching its decision on a request under paragraph (1), the tribunal shall—

a

notify the person making the request of the decision and the reasons for it; and

b

send a copy of the notification to the applicant and the respondent.

5

Any person whose request under paragraph (1) is granted shall be treated as an applicant or respondent, as the case may be, for the purposes of regulations 8 to 18, 20 and 24.

6

In the regulations mentioned in paragraph (5) any reference to—

a

an applicant, or

b

a respondent

shall be construed as including a person treated as such under this regulation and any reference to a party shall be construed as including any such person.