Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2022)

36.   Time

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    (1)   In an enactment passed or made after the commencement of this Act, words relating to time and reference to a point of time shall be construed as relating or referring to standard time.

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    (2)   In an enactment the expression “standard time” shall be construed as meaning—

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      (a)     the mean time of Longitude 60° W., that is to say, as being exactly 4 hours later than Greenwich mean time; or

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      (b)     such other time as the Governor General may by Proclamation declare to be the standard time for the Island.

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    (3)   Where in an enactment a period of time is expressed to begin on, or to be reckoned from, a particular day, that day shall not be included in the period.

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    (4)   Subject to subsection (6) where in an enactment a period of time is expressed to end on, or to be reckoned to, a particular day, that day shall be included in the period.

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    (5)   Where the time limited by an enactment for the doing of anything expires or falls upon a Sunday or public holiday, the time shall extend to and the thing may be done on the first following day that is not a Sunday or public holiday.

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    (6)   Where a period of time prescribed by an enactment for the doing of anything does not exceed 6 days, Sundays and public holidays shall not be included in the computation of the period.

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    (7)   Where by an enactment a period of time is expressed as “clear days” or is qualified by the term “at least”, both the first day and the last day shall be excluded from the computation of the period.

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    (8)   In an enactment—

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      (a)     a reference to midnight, in relation to any particular day, shall be construed as a reference to the point of time at which that day ends;

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      (b)     a reference to a week-day shall be construed as a reference to a day that is not a Sunday;

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      (c)     a reference to a month shall be construed as a reference to a calendar month;

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      (d)     a reference, without qualification, to a year shall be construed as a reference to a period of 12 months;

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      (e)     a reference to a financial year shall be construed as a reference to a period of 12 months ending at midnight on 31 December.

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    (9)   In an enactment the expression “public holiday” shall mean any day that under the provisions of any enactment or other law in force is or is declared to be or is proclaimed as a public holiday.

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    (10)   An enactment requiring or authorising the doing of anything but not prescribing or limiting the period within which that thing is to or may be done, shall be construed as requiring or as the case may be authorising that thing to be done with all convenient speed and not otherwise.

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    (11)   Subsections (1) and (2) shall have effect in relation to deeds and other legal instruments as they have effect in relation to enactments.