Page:Arbitration Act 2001.pdf/19

Rh (4) All statements, documents or other information supplied to the arbitral tribunal by one party shall be communicated to the other party.

(5) Any expert report or evidentiary document on which the arbitral tribunal may rely in making its decision shall be communicated to the parties.

Consolidation of proceedings and concurrent hearings

26.—(1) The parties may agree—
 * (a) that the arbitration proceedings shall be consolidated with other arbitration proceedings; or
 * (b) that concurrent hearings shall be held,

on such terms as may be agreed.

(2) Unless the parties agree to confer such power on the arbitral tribunal, the tribunal has no power to order consolidation of arbitration proceedings or concurrent hearings.

Power to appoint experts

27.—(1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may—
 * (a) appoint one or more experts to report to it on specific issues to be determined by the tribunal; and
 * (b) require a party to give the expert any relevant information or to produce, or to provide access to, any relevant documents, goods or other property for his inspection.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party so requests or if the arbitral tribunal considers it necessary, the expert shall, after delivery of his written or oral report, participate in a hearing where the parties have the opportunity to put questions to him and to present other expert witnesses in order to testify on the points at issue.

General powers exercisable by arbitral tribunal

28.—(1) The parties may agree on the powers which may be exercised by the arbitral tribunal for the purposes of and in relation to the arbitration proceedings.