The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Revision) 1980

Service of defence

2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a defendant who enters an appearance in, and intends to defend, an action must, unless the Court gives leave to the contrary, serve a defence on the plaintiff before the expiration of 21 days after the time limited for appearing or after the statement of claim is served on him, whichever is the later.

(2) If a summons under Order 14, rule 1 or under Order 86, rule 1 is served on a defendant before he serves his defence, paragraph (1) shall not have effect in relation to him unless by the order made on the summons he is given leave to, defend the action and, in that case, shall have effect as if it required him to serve his defence within 21 days after the making of the order or within such other period as may be specified therein.