Time limits

14.1  The Statement and Appendix must be lodged by the appellants within six weeks of the presentation of the appeal, or within such longer period as may be allowed on petition (see direction 14.3)[42].

14.2  If this time limit expires during a parliamentary recess, it is automatically extended to the third next sitting day of the House of Lords[43]; and if any party has applied for public funding/legal aid, the time limit is automatically extended to one month after the notification of the result of the funding decision, provided that the Judicial Office has been informed of the application[44].

Application for extension of time—first extension

14.3  Appellants who are unable to complete their preparation of the Statement and Appendix within the initial six weeks' period may apply before the end of that period for an extension of time. The application is made by letter to the Judicial Office and should explain briefly the reason(s) why an extension is needed. Application may be made for an extension of up to six weeks from the original expiry date, and the application must specify the date to which the extension is requested. If the date seems likely to fall in a parliamentary recess, the application may request extension until '[specify date] or the third sitting day of the next meeting of the House'[45]

14.4   An application for an extension of time must be sent to those respondents who have entered appearance, for their information.

Application for extension of time—second and subsequent extensions

14.5  Up to three extensions of time are granted, provided that they do not prejudice the preparation for the hearing or its proposed date. An application for a fourth extension of time, and any subsequent applications, may, at the discretion of the Head of the Judicial Office, be referred to an Appeal Committee.

Respondents' consent

14.6  It is not the practice in criminal appeals to require the consent of the respondents to applications for extensions of time.

Lodgment

14.7  When the Statement and Appendix are ready, one master plus seven copies of the Statement, eight copies of Part 1 of the Appendix and 15 copies of Parts 2 etc. (if any) must be lodged in the Judicial Office. The appellants must at the same time apply to set down the appeal for hearing.

43   Standing Order VIII. Back

44   See direction 37.1-37.3. Back

45   As the "third sitting day" depends on future sittings of the House, the date of expiry is not fixed. The appellants should contact the Judicial Office from time to time to discover how sittings of the House affect this date. Back