Bermuda civil and statutory proceedings
Which event starts the Bermuda defence service period?
Fourteen days after the later qualifying event, unless the court directs otherwise. Serve the defence on the plaintiff. A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary.
- Period
- Fourteen days after the later qualifying event, unless the court directs otherwise
- Trigger
- Later of the time limited for appearing and service of the statement of claim
- Rule
- Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1). Official consolidated body retrieved October 10, 2026. Bermuda Laws Online states laws amended through August 11, 2026. The consolidation includes BR 10/2024, BR 4/2025 and BR 13/2026, each retained separately.
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A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary. Establish later of the time limited for appearing and service of the statement of claim and the actual completion required to serve the defence on the plaintiff.
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Which event starts the Bermuda defence service period?
Fourteen days after the later qualifying event, unless the court directs otherwise. Serve the defence on the plaintiff. A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary.
Responsible actor. Defendant who appears and intends to defend.
Later of the time limited for appearing and service of the statement of claim.
A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary.
A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)How does this provision count time?
- Establish later of the time limited for appearing and service of the statement of claim.
- Serve the defence on the plaintiff.
- Compare both statutory anchors. Do not add fourteen days only to actual appearance or only to writ service.
- The required act is service. Apply actual service rules and any written extension, without assuming a Registry-only carry.
Compare both statutory anchors. Do not add fourteen days only to actual appearance or only to writ service.
The required act is service. Apply actual service rules and any written extension, without assuming a Registry-only carry.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)Which facts prevent one automatic date?
A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary. Establish later of the time limited for appearing and service of the statement of claim and the actual completion required to serve the defence on the plaintiff.
Defendant who appears and intends to defend establishes later of the time limited for appearing and service of the statement of claim. Compare both statutory anchors. Do not add fourteen days only to actual appearance or only to writ service. Fourteen days after the later qualifying event, unless the court directs otherwise. Serve the defence on the plaintiff. Establish actual completion before calculating a final date.
A proposed boundary intersects a closure or holiday while the party seeks to serve the defence on the plaintiff. The required act is service. Apply actual service rules and any written extension, without assuming a Registry-only carry. Establish the applicable computation and completion rule. No assumed carried date is supplied.
The statement of claim is served after the time limited for appearing has expired. A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary. Resolve the changed source branch and required act. The nominal period alone does not establish this scenario.
Which conditions and exceptions apply?
- Actual procedure and branch
- A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary.
- Count and complete the actual act
- Compare both statutory anchors. Do not add fourteen days only to actual appearance or only to writ service. The required act is service. Apply actual service rules and any written extension, without assuming a Registry-only carry.
- Actor and required completion
- Defendant who appears and intends to defend. Serve the defence on the plaintiff.
- A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary.
- Defendant who appears and intends to defend. Later of the time limited for appearing and service of the statement of claim. Serve the defence on the plaintiff. A summary judgment summons served before defence activates rule 2(2). Late actual appearance ordinarily does not postpone the original appearance boundary.
What must the responsible actor complete?
Questions about this procedure
Which event starts the Bermuda defence service period?
Which of the two events controls?
Whichever is later under rule 2(1).
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)Is actual appearance always the first anchor?
No. The text uses the time limited for appearing.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)What happens after an Order 14 summons?
Rule 2(2) displaces the ordinary defence rule until leave to defend is granted.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)Who receives the defence?
The plaintiff, under rule 2(1).
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)Can the court set another period?
Yes. The ordinary obligation is subject to leave to the contrary.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)Does filing alone satisfy the rule?
The provision requires service. Establish any separate filing requirement without substituting it for service.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1)Official sources and review
Provisions used (7)
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(1) | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Order 3 rules 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Rules of the Supreme Court Amendment Rules 2025, Order 18 rule 12 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Rules of the Supreme Court Amendment Rules 2026, new Order 14A | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Interpretation Act 1951, sections 7–9 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Public Holidays Act 1947, sections 3–6 and Schedule | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Rules of the Supreme Court Amendment Rules 2024, Order 62 and Schedule | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |