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Commitments And Contingencies
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3 Months Ended |
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Oct. 27, 2012
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| Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments And Contingencies | 11. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is a defendant in lawsuits and other adversary proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Legal costs incurred in connection with the resolution of claims and lawsuits are generally expensed as incurred, and the Company establishes reserves for the outcome of litigation where it deems appropriate to do so under applicable accounting rules. Moreover, the Company's assessment of the current exposure could change in the event of the discovery of additional facts with respect to legal matters pending against the Company or determinations by judges, juries, administrative agencies or other finders of fact that are not in accordance with the Company's evaluation of claims. The results of these lawsuits, claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. However, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company's identified contingencies include the matters set out below. The Company intends to defend these matters vigorously, as appropriate.
Six lawsuits were filed challenging the proposed acquisition of Charming Shoppes by Ascena. Five of these lawsuits have been consolidated in state court in Pennsylvania, and one case remains in Federal court in Pennsylvania. In general, plaintiffs sued the Charming Shoppes’ board of directors for breach of their fiduciary duties under Pennsylvania state law in connection with the sale process, negotiations and public disclosures about the transaction. Ascena was sued for allegedly aiding and abetting the Charming Shoppes’ board of directors’ breach of their fiduciary duties. The parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the state and federal litigations on the basis of supplemental disclosures only, and settlement papers are expected to be filed with the court shortly. Pursuant to the settlement, Plaintiffs will seek an award of attorneys’ fees from the court, and any award will be paid by Ascena, as Charming Shoppes’ parent company. The amount of attorneys’ fees so payable is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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