Bermuda court deadlines
Civil cases in the Supreme Court of Bermuda run under the Rules of the Supreme Court 1985. Here is how Order 3 counts time.
Guide only. There is no calculator for this court yet. Use this page as a checklist and confirm every period against the current rules and any order in your case.
Which rules apply
Civil procedure is governed by the Supreme Court Act 1905 and the Rules of the Supreme Court 1985. The 1985 Rules are close to the rules that applied in England and Wales before the 1999 reforms, so the English White Book from that period is still the main practice guide.
How Order 3 counts time
| Step | Time | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of a month | A calendar month, unless the context requires otherwise | O. 3 r. 1 |
| Period after a date | Starts immediately after that date | O. 3 r. 2 |
| Clear days | At least that number of days must fall between the act and the date | O. 3 r. 2(4) |
| Periods of 7 days or less | Saturdays and public holidays are excluded | O. 3 r. 2(5) |
| Time ends on a Sunday or Registry closed day | In time if done on the next day the Registry is open | O. 3 r. 4 |
| Extending or shortening time | The Court may extend or abridge any period | O. 3 r. 5 |
| No step for a year | Notice of intention to proceed is needed | O. 3 r. 6 |
Holidays
Public holidays are those under the Public Holidays Act 1947. Bermuda has its own, including Bermuda Day, National Heroes Day and the two Cup Match holidays. Check the Government of Bermuda list for the year before counting a short period.
Sources
- Rules of the Supreme Court 1985, Order 3
- Supreme Court Act 1905
- Public Holidays Act 1947
Rules last checked October 2026.