Bermuda civil and statutory proceedings
When is a Bermuda defence due after leave to defend?
Fourteen days after the order, or the other period specified in it. Serve the defence under the leave order. If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions.
- Period
- Fourteen days after the order, or the other period specified in it
- Trigger
- Making of the order granting leave to defend
- Rule
- Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2). 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.
Source guide · No automated date
Check the applicable procedure
If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions. Establish making of the order granting leave to defend and the actual completion required to serve the defence under the leave order.
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When is a Bermuda defence due after leave to defend?
Fourteen days after the order, or the other period specified in it. Serve the defence under the leave order. If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions.
Responsible actor. Defendant served with an Order 14 summons before defence.
Making of the order granting leave to defend.
If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions.
If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)How does this provision count time?
- Establish making of the order granting leave to defend.
- Serve the defence under the leave order.
- Use the making of the order. Receipt of the sealed copy does not automatically restart the period.
- Service obligations follow the order and applicable rules. Registry closure does not itself extend a direction to serve.
Use the making of the order. Receipt of the sealed copy does not automatically restart the period.
Service obligations follow the order and applicable rules. Registry closure does not itself extend a direction to serve.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)Which facts prevent one automatic date?
If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions. Establish making of the order granting leave to defend and the actual completion required to serve the defence under the leave order.
Defendant served with an Order 14 summons before defence establishes making of the order granting leave to defend. Use the making of the order. Receipt of the sealed copy does not automatically restart the period. Fourteen days after the order, or the other period specified in it. Serve the defence under the leave order. Establish actual completion before calculating a final date.
A proposed boundary intersects a closure or holiday while the party seeks to serve the defence under the leave order. Service obligations follow the order and applicable rules. Registry closure does not itself extend a direction to serve. Establish the applicable computation and completion rule. No assumed carried date is supplied.
The leave order specifies a shorter period or conditions for defending. If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions. 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
- If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions.
- Count and complete the actual act
- Use the making of the order. Receipt of the sealed copy does not automatically restart the period. Service obligations follow the order and applicable rules. Registry closure does not itself extend a direction to serve.
- Actor and required completion
- Defendant served with an Order 14 summons before defence. Serve the defence under the leave order.
- If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions.
- Defendant served with an Order 14 summons before defence. Making of the order granting leave to defend. Serve the defence under the leave order. If leave to defend is not granted, rule 2(1) does not operate through this branch. Read the actual order and its conditions.
What must the responsible actor complete?
Questions about this procedure
When is a Bermuda defence due after leave to defend?
When does this special branch apply?
When an Order 14 rule 1 summons was served before the defendant served a defence.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)Does the ordinary later-of rule continue unchanged?
No. Rule 2(2) changes its operation.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)Must leave to defend actually be granted?
Yes. That is the express prerequisite for this branch.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)Can the order replace fourteen days?
Yes. Rule 2(2) permits another period specified in the order.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)Does delivery of the order start the clock?
The source uses the making of the order.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)Is a defence served or merely filed?
The inherited obligation is service of the defence.
Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2)Official sources and review
Provisions used (7)
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Rules of the Supreme Court 1985 (GN 470/1985), Order 18, rule 2(2) | 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 |