Revised Guidelines for the Consideration of Communications (3) above and may grant an extension upon reasonable grounds, provided that such extension shall not exceed 30 days and shall not be granted more than once per party. SECTION XI: PROCEDURE FOR HEARING ON COMMUNICATIONS 1) General Provisions i. The Committee, if it deems it necessary, may conduct a hearing on a Communication where the parties will be invited to make oral submissions before it. ii. The Committee may, if it deems it necessary, on its own motion or at the request of one of the parties conduct hearing of witnesses or experts. iii. Such hearings may be conducted in open or closed session as the Committee deems it appropriate depending on the circumstances of each communication. 2) Request for a hearing i. A party requesting a hearing, shall do so at least ninety (90) days before the beginning of the session in which the Communication is going to be considered. ii. The Rapporteur or Working Group, if any, or in the absence of such designation, the Chairperson shall decide upon the request in consultation with the Bureau of the Committee. iii. The Secretary shall inform both parties of the decision on the granting of a hearing within 15 days of the decision. iv. If the request for a hearing is accepted, the notification of the hearing shall include the dates and venue of the session, and period of the session during which the hearing is likely to take place. 3) Closed hearings i. If the Committee decides to hold hearings in closed sessions, no person shall be admitted, other than: a) The parties to the Communication or the representatives and advisors 13