Counting time rules

Question 1

Clear days - days on which period begins

Answer 1

When counting with any reference to 14 clear days, the day on which the period begins is never included

Question 2

Clear days - end of period defined by reference to an event

Answer 2

If the end of a period is defined by reference to an event eg a hearing the day in which that event occurs is not included

eg “notice of an application must be served at least 3 clear days before the end of the hearing”

Question 3

clear days - days which do not count

Answer 3

Where the specified period is 5 days or less any Saturdays, Sundays and bank holiday weekends do not count

Question 4

Deadlines on days on which an office is closed

Answer 4

Where the deadline relates to doing any act at the court office and applying the first three rules the deadline falls on a day on which the court is closed then

THE ACT IS TREATED AS ON TIME IF DONE ON THE NEXT DAY ON WHICH THE COURT OFFICE IS OPEN