Time and place of hearings
37.—(1) In proceedings under section 66(1)(a) of the Mental Health Act 1983 the hearing of the case must start within 7 days after the date on which the Tribunal received the application notice.
(2) In proceedings under section 75(1) of that Act, the hearing of the case must start at least 5 weeks but no more than 8 weeks after the date on which the Tribunal received the reference.
(3) The Tribunal must give reasonable notice of the time and place of the hearing (including any adjourned or postponed hearing), and any changes to the time and place of the hearing, to—
- (a) each party entitled to attend a hearing; and
- (b) any person who has been notified of the proceedings under rule 33 (notice of proceedings to interested persons).
(4) The period of notice under paragraph (3) must be at least 14 days, except that—
- (a) in proceedings under section 66(1)(a) of the Mental Health Act 1983 the period must be at least 3 working days; and
- (b) the Tribunal may give shorter notice—
- (i) with the parties’ consent; or
- (ii) in urgent or exceptional circumstances.