New Zealand civil and employment procedure
When is the deadline for plaintiff's opening before trial (high court)?
10 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. File and serve a narrative opening statement of material facts and events. Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle.
- Period
- 10 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise
- Trigger
- The actual trial or hearing date
- Rule
- High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16
High Court Rules 2016 maintained consolidation displayed as at September 4, 2026. Complete official body retained in native Chrome. Later amendments and case-specific directions require renewed review.
Source guide · No automated date
Check the applicable procedure
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16. 10 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle. 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.
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When is the deadline for plaintiff's opening before trial (high court)?
10 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. File and serve a narrative opening statement of material facts and events. Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle.
Responsible actor. The plaintiff preparing the trial or hearing opening.
The actual trial or hearing date.
Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle.
Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle.
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16How does this provision count time?
- File and serve a narrative opening statement of material facts and events.
- Retain the actual event and evidence of completion.
- 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 9.16Which facts prevent one automatic date?
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16. 10 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle. 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 plaintiff preparing the trial or hearing opening establishes the relevant event. The actual trial or hearing date. 10 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. Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle. 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 of material facts and events. 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.
Which conditions and exceptions apply?
- Actual procedural event
- The actual trial or hearing date.
- Required act and branch
- File and serve a narrative opening statement of material facts and events. Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle.
- 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.
- Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle.
- This procedure concerns file and serve a narrative opening statement of material facts and events. Compare the related procedures for their own actor, event and required act. Their periods do not replace this provision.
What must the responsible actor complete?
Questions about this procedure
When is the deadline for plaintiff's opening before trial (high court)?
Who takes the step for high court plaintiff opening statement?
The plaintiff preparing the trial or hearing opening. File and serve a narrative opening statement of material facts and events.
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16What event matters for high court plaintiff opening statement?
The actual trial or hearing date. Retain evidence of that event rather than substituting a convenient document or hearing date.
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16What period does the source state for high court plaintiff opening statement?
10 working days before trial or hearing unless the judge directs otherwise. 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.
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16Which branch can change high court plaintiff opening statement?
Retain alternative judicial directions and distinguish the opening statement from witness evidence and the trial bundle.
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16What must be completed for high court plaintiff opening statement?
File and serve a narrative opening statement of material facts and events. Filing, service, notification, payment and discretionary applications remain distinct. No final completion date is calculated by this guide.
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16Does this guide establish a final date for high court plaintiff opening statement?
No. 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. The actual branch and completion facts remain necessary before a final date is supported.
High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16Official sources and review
Provisions used (5)
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| High Court Rules 2016, rule 9.16 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| High Court Rules 2016, rule 1.3 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| High Court Rules 2016, rule 1.17 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| High Court Rules 2016, rule 1.18 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| High Court Rules 2016, rule 1.19 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |