31O.—(1) The seal of the Planning Regulator (in this section referred to as the ‘seal’) shall be authenticated by either—

(a) the signature of the Planning Regulator, or

(b) the signatures of 2 members of the staff of the Office, at least one of whom shall be a director of the Office, and both of whom have been authorised by the Office to act in that behalf.

(2) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Office and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with subsection (1)) shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.

(3) Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or executed by an individual, would not be required to be under seal may be entered into or executed on behalf of the Office by a member of the staff of the Office or a person generally or specially authorised by the Office for that purpose.]