Interlocutory Hearing

Also called procedural hearings. During inter partes proceedings the Registrar will have to take decisions on procedural issues, for example a request for an extension of time for filing evidence. At any time during the proceedings one or more parties may regard the preliminary view taken by the Registrar on a procedural issue as being detrimental to them.

Every time a preliminary view is given the parties are allowed a period of fourteen days to request a hearing to put their case before a Hearing Officer and this will be an interlocutory hearing. If no request for a hearing is received the preliminary view will be implemented.

Decisions at interlocutory 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.