IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION

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MASTER’S PRACTICE NOTE No 1 of 2009

DIRECTIONS IN RESPECT OF CONTESTED SUMMONSES BEFORE THE MASTERS

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1. Where the hearing time for a contested summons is estimated at 45 minutes or more, or a party proposes citing authorities including case law or texts:-

(a) each party shall file in the Masters’ Office a list of authorities and skeleton argument, at least 7 working days prior to the date fixed for hearing;

(b) the Central Office shall provide the Master with the summons papers at least 7 days prior to the date fixed for hearing.

2. Where in any summons covered by paragraph 1 the lists of authorities and skeleton arguments are not filed in the Masters Office at least 7 working days prior to the date fixed for hearing, the summons will not proceed and instead will automatically be adjourned for mention to a subsequent Thursday Summons Court.

3.  The Master may at his discretion, in cases of urgency, disapply the foregoing directions.

Dated: 7 January 2009

C J McCorry                                                   

Master (Queen’s Bench and Appeals)