Hearing and determination by assessor
24.—(1)  An assessor must, when carrying out his or her duties or exercising his or her powers under these Regulations, act independently, impartially and in a timely manner.
(2)  A hearing is generally to be held in an asynchronous manner by exchange of email.
(3)  However, an assessor may direct —
(a)the hearing be held via video conferencing, teleconferencing or other electronic means; or
(b)any party to the determination to attend before the assessor for a hearing,
if the assessor is of the opinion that the interest of justice would be better served if the hearing is held in the manner mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a) or if the party to the determination attends before the assessor for the hearing, as the case may be.
(4)  An assessor may issue such directions as are necessary or expedient for the conduct of the hearing, including a direction to a party to the determination to provide such further documents or information that the assessor requires to make a determination.
(5)  An assessor may permit a person to be accompanied by an interpreter at the hearing.
(6)  An assessor may at any time adjourn a hearing or fix a date for a further hearing.
(7)  An assessor may dispense with a hearing and make a determination solely by reference to the forms and documents submitted, if the assessor is of the opinion that those forms and documents are sufficient for the assessor to make his or her determination.