Ruling (Permission to intervene)

Ruling of the Chairman in relation to an application by Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited and J Sainsbury plc (together, “Sainsbury’s”) to intervene in each of the six appeals lodged against the OFT’s Decision of 15 April 2010 (Cases 1160-1165).

For the reasons set out in the Ruling, Sainsbury’s was granted a limited permission to intervene in the appeals in order (i) to protect Sainsbury’s’ position as regards any future application for reimbursement of the costs it may incur during the course of the appeals; and (ii) in respect of any disputes as to the admissibility of documents in which Sainsbury’s claims privilege or confidentiality. The Chairman rejected any wider intervention by Sainsbury’s in the appeals.