(4) where it appears to the Court or a judge, on application by summons of either party or without such application, that the case raised by the petition can be conveniently stated as a special case, it or he or she may direct the same to be stated by the petitioner and the respondent accordingly, and any such special case shall, as far as may be, be heard before the Court, and the decision of the Court thereon shall be the decision on the petition;