29U.K.In section 123 of the Patents Act 1977 (rules), after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)It is hereby declared that rules—
(a)authorising the rectification of irregularities of procedure, or
(b)providing for the alteration of any period of time,
may authorise the comptroller to extend or further extend any period notwithstanding that the period has already expired.”.