What is the deadline for acknowledgment of service?
An acknowledgment of service must normally be filed within 14 days after service of the claim form. The calculator first works out deemed service, then counts the response period.
Calculate your deadline
Loading calculator...
Worked example
- Example input
- 03/08/2026
- Expected result
- Wednesday 19 August 2026
The claim-form service step was completed on Monday 3 August 2026.
CPR 6.14 first produces deemed service on Wednesday 5 August. The calculator then excludes that day and applies the 14-day CPR 10.3 period.
How this deadline is counted
- Period
- 14 days
- Trigger
- Deemed service of the claim form
- Direction
- Forward from deemed service
- Counting method
- 14 clear days; the trigger day is excluded
All calendar days count because the period exceeds five days. A deadline ending on a court closure day moves under CPR 2.8(5).
Civil Procedure Rules Part 10. CPR 10.3. Civil Procedure Rules source checked 06/08/2026
Exceptions and matter facts
- Service out of the jurisdiction may use the periods in Practice Direction 6B instead.
- Check any order that abridges or extends time and whether an acknowledgment is the appropriate response.
Deadline Engine is calculation software, not legal advice. Check the current rule, any order and the facts before adding a date to your diary.