AH1301 - General Commissioners: Conduct of hearing: Notes for guidance

In August 1994, the Lord Chancellor's Department (now the Department of Constitutional Affairs) issued `Notes for the Guidance of General Commissioners' to Commissioners' Divisions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Copies of these Notes have been sent to local offices. The Notes were not issued to Commissioners' Divisions in Scotland where General Commissioners are appointed by the Scottish Executive and not by the Lord Chancellor. If you handle proceedings in Scotland, wherever you are based, remember that these Notes were not issued to Commissioners there. Copies of the Notes have, nevertheless, been sent to offices in Scotland because you may be involved in proceedings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Familiarise yourself with the advice contained in the Notes and ensure that your conduct at any hearing is compatible with the approach set out in paragraphs 6.4 (venue of the appeal hearing - seating arrangements at the appeal hearing), and 7.16(a) and (b) (Commissioners' impartiality - seating arrangements at the appeal hearing and entrance of the parties).