1.6.7 Entitlement of parties to put questions at hearings 

The parties may put relevant questions to the testifying parties, witnesses and experts including, e.g. in opposition proceedings, witnesses and experts testifying on behalf of other parties. The official in charge of taking evidence will determine at what point in the proceedings their questions may be put.

It is for the competent department, e.g. the opposition division, to settle any doubts it or a party has about the admissibility of a question. "Leading questions", i.e. questions which already contain the statement which one would like to hear from the witness and practically only requires them to answer with "yes" or "no", must be avoided, because they do not allow the witness' own recollection of the facts to be properly established. Questions also may not be directed to facts which do not require further discussion, which are in no way relevant to the subject-matter for which the taking of evidence has been ordered, or if they aim at establishing facts in respect of which no evidence has been offered. A decision to reject a question cannot be challenged. On the entitlement of other members of the division to put questions, see E‑III, 8.10.