Failure of parties to attend the hearing
10.—(1) A relevant committee may proceed with a hearing in the absence of a party or a party’s representative if the party has—
(a)informed the committee that he does not intend to attend or be represented at the hearing (and has not subsequently advised the committee otherwise);
(b)failed to inform the committee whether he intends to attend or be represented at the hearing; or
(c)left the hearing in circumstances enabling the committee reasonably to conclude that he does not intend to participate further.
(2) If a party has indicated that he does intend to attend or be represented at the hearing, but fails to so attend or be so represented, the relevant committee may—
(a)adjourn the hearing to a specified date if it considers it to be in the public interest, or
(b)proceed with the hearing in the party’s absence.
(3) Where the hearing proceeds in the absence of a party, the relevant committee must consider at the hearing the application or representations made by that party.
(4) Where, under this Regulation, the relevant committee adjourns the hearing to a specified date it must, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the parties of the date, time and place to which the hearing has been adjourned.