Public views are being sought on the drafting approach and direction for the new Copyright Tribunal rules.

The Intellectual Property Department today said the Government will provide a new set of concise and user-friendly rules to modernise the tribunal's  practice and procedure.

The move will not only maintain the fairness of the proceedings but also make the proceedings as flexible, convenient and cost-effective as possible in accordance with contemporary dispute-resolution practice.

The key proposals on the drafting approach and direction are:

* applying the relevant principles of the Civil Justice Reform as the fundamental value of dispute resolution before the tribunal;

* prescribing one standard procedure and application form for all types of applications/references before the tribunal;

* empowering the tribunal to exercise active case management;

* promoting alternative dispute resolution;

* empowering a single member of the tribunal to exercise certain adjudication powers;

* using practice directions to regulate proceedings before the tribunal, if appropriate; and

* prescribing a set of self-contained rules.

The consultation will close on September 30. The Government will take full account of community views when deciding the way forward for the new rules.