Commentary on provisions of the Act Schedule 30: Arbitration between railway operators Directions as to consolidation and grouping of proceedings
Paragraph 2 sets out the ways in which the proceedings for arbitration are to be conducted. Paragraph 2(1) provides that the Secretary of State will have the power to request, or to direct, that a group of proceedings, for example on a similar matter, should be included in the same arbitration process, or should be arbitrated at the same time.
	Paragraph 2(3) provides that the arbitrator may make a request for such direction, while paragraph 2(4) sets out that such a direction must establish the terms for consolidating or timing hearings.
	Paragraph 2(5) contains provisions for cases where hearings with different arbitrators are consolidated. These allow the direction for such hearings to both specify the person who will be the arbitrator and how that person shall be determined.