# The Magistrates' Courts Rules 1981, Rule 79: Extension of time limits

Extent: E+W

(1) If the designated officer for a magistrates' court is unable to send to the applicant a draft case under paragraph (1) of rule 77 within the time required by that paragraph, he shall do so as soon as practicable thereafter and the provisions of that rule shall apply accordingly; but in that event the designated officer shall attach to the draft case, and to the final case when it is sent to the applicant or his solicitor under rule 78(3), a statement of the delay and the reasons therefor.
(2) If the designated officer for a magistrates' court receives an application in writing from or on behalf of the applicant or the respondent for an extension of the time within which representations on the draft case may be made under paragraph (2) of rule 77, together with reasons in writing therefor, a justices’ legal adviser may by notice in writing sent to the applicant or respondent as the case may by the designated officer be extend the time and the provisions of that paragraph and of rule 78 shall apply accordingly; but in that event the designated officer shall attach to the final case, when it is sent to the applicant or his solicitor under rule 78(3), a statement of the extension and the reasons therefor.
(3) If the justices are unable to state a case within the time required by paragraph (1) of rule 78, they shall do so as soon as practicable thereafter and the provisions of that rule shall apply accordingly; but in that event the designated officer shall attach to the final case, when it is sent to the applicant or his solicitor under rule 78(3), a statement of the delay and the reasons therefor.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1981/552/rule/79 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/magistrates-courts-rules-1981/rule-79
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.