(1) An application for an order appointing a representative party may be made at any time, including before proceedings have been started.
(2) An application for such an order may be made by any —
(a) party;
(b) person or body who wishes to be appointed as a representative party; or
(c) person who is likely to be a party to proceedings.
(3) An application for such an order must —
(a) be supported by affidavit evidence; and
(b) identify every person to be represented, either —
(i) individually, or
(ii) by description, if it is not practicable to identify a person individually.
(4) An application to appoint a representative defendant must be on notice to the claimant.
(5) An application to appoint a representative claimant may be made without notice.
(6) The court may direct that notice of an application be given to such other persons as it thinks fit.
(7) If the court directs that a person not already a party is to be a representative defendant, it must make an order adding that person as a defendant.