Procedure of Claims Tribunal.

(1) The Claims Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act No. 5 of 1908), but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and subject to the other provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder. The Claims Tribunal shall have power to regulate its own procedure including the fixing of places and times of its sitting.

(2) The Claims Tribunal on a perusal of documents and written statements and after receiving such evidence or hearing such oral arguments, as may be advanced shall decide every application made to it as expeditiously as possible and ordinarily every application shall be decided within a period of three months from the date of summons under sub-section (1) of section 10.

(3) The proceedings of Claims Tribunal under this Act shall, so far as it is practicable and in the interest of justice, be continued on day-to-day basis till its conclusion unless the Claims Tribunal finds the adjournment of the proceedings beyond the following day to be necessary for reasons to be recorded in writing.

(4) The Claims Tribunal shall have for the purpose of discharging its functions under this Act the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act No. 5 of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) subject to the provisions of sections 123 and 124 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Central Act No. 1 of 1872), requisitioning any public record or document or copy of such record or document from any office; (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witness or documents.