How does a protest hearing work?

Under GCRs 201 to 205:

• The Stewards treat every protest as urgent. They first check it is in writing, has the right fee and was lodged in time, giving you a chance to argue that it was correctly lodged.
• All parties are summoned, preferably in writing. If someone does not attend, the hearing can go ahead by default.
• No lawyers. You may be represented by a fellow competitor in the same event or a club/association committee member who is not a practising attorney or advocate.
• The protestor presents first, then the other party. Both stay for all evidence and may cross-examine and call witnesses. Hearsay can be heard and weighed.
• On technical matters the Stewards must consider the scrutineers' report and the Technical Consultant's recommendations.
• If no decision is given straight away, you must be told within 1 hour when and where it will be given. A written decision follows within 1 hour and is posted on the notice board.
• In a split vote, the MSA Steward has the casting vote.
• If you were precluded from the rest of the event and your protest can't be heard in time, the preclusion is suspended until the hearing.