1. The Panel, Compliance Panel and Appellate Panel Rules of Procedure in Annex 1705(1) shall apply to all Proceedings unless modified, where appropriate, by a Presiding Body.
2. A Presiding Body may seek information and expert advice from any person or body that it considers appropriate, provided that the Participating Parties so agree and subject to the following and to such other terms and conditions as the Participating Parties may agree:
(a) If a procedural question arises, the Presiding Body shall first seek advice from the Participating Parties. If the procedural question is not resolved to the satisfaction of the Presiding Body, the Presiding Body may request that the Secretariat obtain independent legal advice on the procedural question.
(b) A request pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be in writing to the Secretariat, with copies to the Participating Parties, and shall outline the procedural question on which advice is sought. The Secretariat shall retain appropriate counsel and transmit the advice immediately to the Presiding Body, with copies to the Participating Parties.
3. All Proceedings before a Presiding Body shall be dealt with as informally and expeditiously as the circumstances and considerations of fairness permit.
4. The Parties shall make every effort to avoid parallel Proceedings regarding the same measure. Should multiplicity of Proceedings become an issue, any Party may refer the matter to the Committee for consideration and action.