3.2 Time — computation
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(1) This rule shows how to calculate any period of time for doing any act which is fixed by —
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(a) any judgment or order of the court;
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(b) any practice direction; or
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(c) these rules.
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(2) All periods of time expressed as a number of days are to be computed as clear days.
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(3) In this rule —
“clear days” means that in computing the number of days the day on which the period begins and the day on which the period ends are not included.
• Examples—
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(a) documents served by post are deemed to be served 14 days after posting: A Document posted on 1st September is deemed to be served on 16th September.
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(b) documents must be filed at least 3 days before the hearing – application is to be heard on Friday 20th October: The last date for filing the document is Monday 16th October.
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(4) When the specified period —
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(a) is 7 days or less; and
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(b) includes —
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(i) a Saturday or Sunday; or
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(ii) any other day on which the court office is closed; that day does not count.
• Example: Notice of application must be given not less than 7 days before a hearing – Hearing on Friday 20th October: Notice must be given not later than Tuesday 10th October.
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(5) If the period specified for doing any act at the court office ends on a day on which the court is closed, the act is in time if done before close of business on the next day on which the court is open.
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(6) If the period specified for doing any act which does not need to be done at court ends on —
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(a) a Saturday or Sunday; or
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(b) any public holiday;
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the act must be done before 4 p.m. on the next ordinary business day.