§ Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Attorney-General whether he will seek powers to relieve persons and corporate bodies who are required by law to serve notices or other documents within a prescribed period, such service being authorised by post, from any penalties or damages that they may otherwise suffer as a result of compliance with the requirement being rendered impossible due to the strike of the Post Office workers.
§ The Attorney-GeneralUnder the Rules of the Supreme Court and the County Court Rules the court already has296W power to extend the time required for the taking of any steps in legal proceedings. While the postal strike lasts the Masters and Registrars will exercise this power freely in appropriate cases. The President and the Senior Master have issued practice directions extending from 8 to 14 days the time for entering an appearance or giving notice of intention to defend in all proceedings in the High Court.