What happens if the period of time ends on a Saturday or public holiday?

When the period of time for taking action in a civil procedure ends on a Saturday or public holiday, the deadline for that action is extended to the next business day. This rule is designed to ensure that parties do not miss important deadlines on days when the courts are closed and cannot accept filings or conduct proceedings.

This practice is grounded in the understanding that access to the court system should remain unobstructed, and extending the deadline promotes fairness and accessibility. It is consistent across many legal systems that deadlines adjust to provide relief when they fall on non-business days, recognizing that parties cannot act on those days.

The other options do not reflect this practice: time not being extended, dismissal of the action, and halving the time period do not align with the established legal principles regarding deadlines in civil procedure. Implementing the next business day rule helps maintain the integrity of legal proceedings.