The Competition Appeal Tribunal Rules 2003

Case management conference etc.

20.—(1) Where it appears to the Tribunal that any proceedings would be facilitated by holding a case management conference or pre-hearing review the Tribunal may, on the request of a party or of its own initiative, give directions for such a conference or review to be held.

(2) Unless the Tribunal otherwise directs, a case management conference shall be held as soon as practicable after the filing of an appeal, whether or not the time for service of the defence has expired.

(3) A case management conference or pre-hearing review shall be held in private unless the Tribunal otherwise directs.

(4) The purpose of a case management conference or pre-hearing review shall be—

(a) to ensure the efficient conduct of the proceedings;

(b) to determine the points on which the parties must present further argument or which call for further evidence to be produced;

(c) to clarify the forms of order sought by the parties, their arguments of fact and law and the points at issue between them;

(d) to ensure that all agreements that can be reached between the parties about the matters in issue and the conduct of the proceedings are made and recorded;

(e) to facilitate the settlement of the proceedings.

(5) The Tribunal may authorise a person qualified for appointment to the panel of chairmen to carry out on its behalf a case management conference, pre-hearing review or any other preparatory measure relating to the organisation or disposal of the proceedings.