The Restrictive Practices Court (Resale Prices) Rules 1976

Preliminary application for directions

7.  Not later than 28 days after the expiration of the time limited for notifying an interest under rule 6, the applicant shall—

(a) apply to the Court to fix a date for the hearing of a preliminary application for directions;

(b) give not less than 28 days' notice of the date so fixed to the Director as well as to every supplier, retailer and trade association who has notified an interest;

(c) include with his notice a list containing the names and addresses of the persons to whom the notice is given and particulars of the interest notified and other information supplied by each person other than the Director; and

(d) file a copy of the list with the proper officer of the Court.

8.  Any person to whom notice of the preliminary application for directions is given who intends to apply for a representation order or for any directions under rule 9 shall give to the Director and to all other persons to whom notice of the preliminary application was given not less than 14 days' notice of his intention, specifying the directions for which he intends to ask, together with a copy of any affidavit on which he intends to rely, and shall file a copy of the notice and of any such affidavit with the proper officer of the Court.

9.  On the hearing of the preliminary application for directions the Court—

(a) shall determine which (if any) of the suppliers, retailers and trade associations from whom notification has been received under rule 6 have such an interest as to entitle them to be represented before the Court in the proceedings;

(b) may order that some or all of the suppliers, retailers or trade associations who are before the Court be represented by such representative respondent as the Court may direct;

(c) may order that the application be amended by including therein or excluding therefrom any goods, or be divided into and treated as two or more separate applications each relating to such classes of goods as the Court may direct;

(d) may give directions as to the delivery of a statement of case by the applicant and by any supplier, retailer or trade association; and

(e) may give such consequential directions as it thinks fit.