28. Party Status

28.01 A person who is not a party and is interested in actively participating in the proceeding as a party shall file a written request and serve it on the other parties.

28.02 A party who objects to party status being granted to a person shall file and serve an objection, and the person may respond to the objection.

28.03 Applications for party status may be dealt with by an Advisory Board based on the material filed without holding a hearing.

28.04 In deciding whether to grant a person party status, an Advisory Board may consider:

(a) the nature of the case;
(b) the issues;
(c) whether the person has a genuine interest in the issues;
(d) the likelihood of the person being able to make a useful and different contribution to the understanding of the issues;
(e) any delay or prejudice to the parties; and,
(f) any other matter an Advisory Board considers relevant.

29. Levels of Participation

29.01 An Advisory Board may grant party status to a person, but may order that the person's right to participate as a party be limited.

29.02 A person who participates in a proceeding shall comply with the order of the Advisory Board granting party status.

30. Withdrawal

30.01 Prior to the conclusion of the hearing, a party may withdraw from a proceeding before an Advisory Board

(a) by filing a notice of withdrawal signed by the party or its representative, and serving the notice on the other parties; or,
(b) at the hearing, by bringing a motion with the permission of an Advisory Board.

30.02 An Advisory Board may impose conditions on any withdrawal as it considers appropriate.