Where an original decree has been lost or destroyed, or has become unavailable to the plaintiff or party entitled to benefit thereunder, by reason of its having improperly got into the hands of the opposite party or being in the hands of any officer lawfully entitled to hold it, the plaintiff or party may apply to the judge either in court or chambers for the issue of a duplicate of the decree.

Notice of an application under Rule 1 shall be given to the opposite party before the beginning of a period of seven days ending on the date of the hearing, which notice may be served by registered post.

It shall lie with the applicant to satisfy the judge by oral evidence or affidavit of such, facts as would under Rule 1 enable the application to be granted.

On the face of every duplicate decree issued under this Rule there shall be written or stamped in large letters the word “Duplicate” followed by the initials of the chief clerk.

A duplicate decree shall for all purposes have the effect of the original decree and references in these Orders to a decree shall include a duplicate decree.