Magistrates' Court General Civil Procedure Rules 2020

A complaint, summons or subpoena is valid for service for one year after the day it is filed.

If a complaint or summons has not been served on a defendant or if a subpoena has not been served on a witness, the Court may from time to time extend the validity of the complaint, summons or subpoena for such period from the day of the order as the Court directs, not being more than one year from that day.

An order may be made under paragraph (2) before or after expiry.

The plaintiff may apply under paragraph (2) without notice to the defendant, but if the Court considers that the defendant ought to be heard, the Court must—

adjourn the further hearing; and

direct the plaintiff to give notice to the defendant by summons or otherwise.

If an order is made under paragraph (2), the registrar must stamp any complaint, summons or subpoena for service with the date of the order and the extended date of validity.