88. Hearings.- (1) Subject to sub-rule (2) of rule 4 in relation to a geographical indication for which an application for registration is made on or after the notified date, the application as well as any proceeding under the Act and the rules shall, in the event of a hearing becoming necessary, be heard at the appropriate office of the Geographical Indications Registry at which such application was made under sub-section (4) of section 11, or at such place within the territorial jurisdiction of that office as the Registrar may deem proper. (2) Where an officer exercising the powers of the Registrar who has heard any matter under the Act or the Rules, has reserved orders therein, is transferred from one office of the Registry to another or reverts to another appointment before passing an order or rendering decision therein, he may, if the Registrar so directs, pass the order or render the decision as if he had continued to be the officer in the office of the Registry where the matter was heard. |