What is the deadline for a defendant to respond to a claim?

What is the deadline for a defendant to respond to a claim?

• A. Within 14 days of service of the particulars of claim
• B. Within 7 days of service
• C. Within 21 days of service
• D. Within 28 days of service

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that there is a fixed, short window for a defendant to respond once a claim is served. The defendant must file a defence within 14 days of being served with the claim form, or with the particulars of claim if those are served separately. This timing starts the day after service and ensures the case progresses promptly. If the defendant acknowledges service within those 14 days, the deadline to file the defence extends to 28 days from the date of service. The other timeframes (7 days, 21 days, 28 days) aren’t the standard response period unless an extension mechanism like an Acknowledgement of Service is used.

The main idea is that there is a fixed, short window for a defendant to respond once a claim is served. The defendant must file a defence within 14 days of being served with the claim form, or with the particulars of claim if those are served separately. This timing starts the day after service and ensures the case progresses promptly. If the defendant acknowledges service within those 14 days, the deadline to file the defence extends to 28 days from the date of service. The other timeframes (7 days, 21 days, 28 days) aren’t the standard response period unless an extension mechanism like an Acknowledgement of Service is used.