Rule 59 of The Probate and Administration Rules: Form of proceedings

(1) Save where otherwise provided in these Rules every application to the court or to a registry shall be brought in the form of a petition, caveat or summons as may be appropriate.
(2) In the case of a pending proceeding the court or a registrar may of its or his own motion or at the request of any party, but without a formal application, cause the matter to be set down for mention before the court or registrar upon notice to such persons (if any) as the court or registrar may direct.
(3) Unless otherwise directed by the court every application shall be heard in chambers in the presence only of the parties, their advocates and such other persons as the court or registrar may permit.
(4) Every petition and cross-application for a grant shall be signed by the petitioner in the presence of his advocate or not less than two other adult witnesses who must sign giving their names, addresses and descriptions.
(5) A summons shall be in one of Forms 104 to 110 as appropriate and be signed by the applicant or his advocate.
(6) Save where it is otherwise provided in these Rules there shall be filed with every application such affidavits (if any) setting out such material facts and exhibiting such documents as the applicant may think necessary.