When is the deadline for defendant's opening before trial (high court)?

5 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. File and serve a narrative opening statement. This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval.

Responsible actor. The defendant, third party or other party preparing an opening.

The actual trial or hearing date.

This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval.

This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval.

1. File and serve a narrative opening statement.
2. Retain the actual event and evidence of completion.
3. Check the operative source and any applicable order before relying on a period.

High Court Rules 1.3 and 1.17 define working days and exclude the reference event day for rule periods. Rule 1.17(3) preserves statutory reckoning.

Rule 1.18 addresses an act at a registry that cannot be done because that registry is closed. It does not carry every service act or statutory interval.

High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16. 5 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval. This source guide requires the actual procedural branch, event and applicable completion facts before a final date can be established. No computed date or paid record is available.

The defendant, third party or other party preparing an opening establishes the relevant event. The actual trial or hearing date. 5 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. Apply the identified source branch. This illustration supplies no final date.

The procedure has a potentially different branch or direction. This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval. Resolve the specific branch before treating the ordinary period as applicable. No final date is supplied.

The event, required act or completion facts are missing. File and serve a narrative opening statement. Rule 1.18 addresses an act at a registry that cannot be done because that registry is closed. It does not carry every service act or statutory interval. Withhold a computed deadline and paid record. Preserve the unresolved fact instead of assuming an endpoint.

Actual procedural event

The actual trial or hearing date.

Required act and branch

File and serve a narrative opening statement. This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval.

Completion qualification

Rule 1.18 addresses an act at a registry that cannot be done because that registry is closed. It does not carry every service act or statutory interval.

• This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval.
• This procedure concerns file and serve a narrative opening statement. Compare the related procedures for their own actor, event and required act. Their periods do not replace this provision.

• The defendant, third party or other party preparing an opening.
• The actual trial or hearing date.
• This is the responding party's timetable. It does not use the plaintiff's ten-working-day interval.
• Rule 1.18 addresses an act at a registry that cannot be done because that registry is closed. It does not carry every service act or statutory interval.
• File and serve a narrative opening statement. Filing, service, notification, payment and discretionary applications remain distinct. No final completion date is calculated by this guide.