(1) Unless otherwise 'provided in these Regulations, the hearing: panel shall conduct the hearing in a manner that it considers appropriate except that the parties shall be treated equally and fairly and shall each be given full opportunity to present its case.

(2) These hearing panel may, after consultation with the parties, decide to hear; presentation of evidence by witnesses of the parties including expert witnesses and may itself call witnesses.

(3) The hearing panel may at the request of a party or on its initiative conduct the hearing on the basis of documents and other material evidence.

(4) All documents and other information supplied to the hearing panel by a party shall at the same time be communicated by the party to the other party.

(5) The hearing shall not be open to the public unless the panel and the parties agree to the hearing being opened to the public.

(6) Where notice of hearing has been given to the parties, the hearing panel may proceed with the hearing, notwithstanding the absence of any duly notified party.

(7) Parties may represent themselves or be· represented by a lawyer or other expert.

(8) Persons appearing before the hearing panel may be questioned by the parties as well as the members of the panel and may be examined cross-examined and re-examined.