The IPONZ Hearings Office has updated its standard pre-hearing directions for IPONZ hearings.

The new guideline directions were co-developed with the Hearings Technical Focus Group and IPONZ Assistant Commissioners to ensure hearings will be set up to run as smoothly and as possible.

The directions contribute to the Hearings Office’s goal of administering proceedings in a fair, efficient, and cost-effective manner and include:

• Timeframes for raising evidential and/or procedural issues;
• Opportunity for the parties to engage in settlement negotiations prior to setting down a hearing;
• Sequential filing of submissions; and
• Preparation of a common bundle.

The directions will also ensure that evidential or pleading issues are identified well in advance of a hearing and will take effect for any hearings organised from August 2018.