IV. PROCEDURE BEFORE THE COURT 5. The Initiating Application was filed on 25 January 2019 and served on the Respondent on 31 January 2019. 6. The Respondent filed a Motion for Extension of Time within which to file a Notice of Preliminary Objection and Statement of Defence, dated 13 March, 2019, same was served on the Applicants on 19 March 2019. 7. The Respondent filed its Notice of Preliminary Objection and Statement of Defence on 13 March 2019 and both were served on the Applicants on 19 March 2019. 8. The Applicants filed their response to the Preliminary Objection and Statement of Defence of the Respondent on 12 April 2019 and same was served on the Respondents on 18 April 2019. 9. During the Court hearing on 7 February 2020, both Parties represented by Counsel in Court. The Court observed that there were about six Applications alleging similar violations instituted by the same Applicants against the same Respondent praying the same reliefs. The Court therefore considered a consolidation of all the cases. No objection was recorded from the parties. Consequently, in line with Article 38 of the Rules, the Court ordered a consolidation of the affected Applications and directed the Parties to file consolidated pleadings and briefs. The Court then adjourned the case to 20 May 2020 for hearing. Parties were directed to file and serve their consolidated pleadings before the next adjourned date. 5