The Competition Appeal Tribunal Rules 2003

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18.—(1) The Tribunal, after taking into account the observations of the parties, may at any time determine whether its proceedings are to be treated, for purposes connected with—

(a) any appeal from a decision of the Tribunal made in those proceedings; or

(b) any other matter connected with those proceedings,

as proceedings in England and Wales, in Scotland or in Northern Ireland and shall instruct the Registrar to notify the parties of its determination.

(2) Notwithstanding any determination under paragraph (1), the Tribunal may hold any meeting, case management conference, pre-hearing review or hearing, or give any directions, in such place and in such manner as it thinks fit having regard to the just, expeditious and economical conduct of the proceedings.

(3) In making a determination under paragraph (1), the Tribunal may have regard to all matters which appear to it to be relevant and in particular the part of the United Kingdom where—

(a) any individual party to the proceedings is habitually resident or has his head office or principal place of business;

(b) the majority of the parties are habitually resident or have their head offices or principal places of business;

(c) any agreement, decision or concerted practice to which the proceedings relate was made or implemented or intended to be implemented;

(d) any conduct to which the proceedings relate took place.

(4) Without prejudice to paragraph (3), in making a determination under paragraph (1) for the purposes of a claim for damages under section 47A of the 1998 Act, the Tribunal—

(a) may have regard to the law which is applicable to the claim; and

(b) in the case of claims included in proceedings under section 47B of the 1998 Act, may decide that one or more of the claims is to be treated as included in separate proceedings.