Interpretation Act

Interpretation Act 1984 Part VIII — Provisions regarding time and distance 61.       Time, computation of (1)       In

       (1)       In computing time for the purposes of a written law — (a)       where

       (a)       where a period of time is expressed to begin at, on, or with a specified day, that day shall be included in the period; (b)       where

       (b)       where a period of time is expressed to be reckoned from, or after, a specified day, that day shall not be included in the period; (c)       where

       (c)       where anything is to be done within a time before a specified day, the time shall not include that day; (d)       where

       (d)       where a period of time is expressed to end at, on, or with a specified day or to continue to or until a specified day, that day shall be included in the period; (e)       where

       (e)       where the time limited for the doing of a thing expires or falls upon an excluded day, the thing may be done on the next day that is not an excluded day; (f)       where

       (f)       where there is a reference to a number of clear days or “at least” or “not less than” a number of days between 2 events, in calculating that number of days both the days on which the events happen shall be excluded; (g)       where

       (g)       where there is a reference to a number of days not expressed to be clear days or “at least” or “not less than” a number of days between 2 events, in calculating the number of days there shall be excluded the day on which the first event happens and there shall be included the day on which the second event happens; (h)       where

       (h)       where an act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken on a certain day, or on or before a certain day, then, if that day is an excluded day, the act or proceeding shall be considered as done or taken in due time if it is done or taken on the next day that is not an excluded day. (2)       For

       (2)       For the purposes of this section, excluded day means Saturday, Sunday, public service holiday, and a bank holiday or public holiday throughout the State or in that part of the State which is relevant to the event, act, thing or proceeding concerned.

62.       Months, reckoning of (1)       In

       (1)       In a written law, month means a calendar month, that is to say, a month reckoned according to the calendar. (2)       If

       (2)       If a period of one month indicated in a written law begins on any date other than the first day of any of the 12 months of the calendar, it shall be reckoned from the date on which it is to begin to the date in the next month numerically corresponding, less one, or, if there is no corresponding date, to the last day of that month. For example: a month beginning on 15 January ends on 14 February and a month beginning on 30 or 31 January ends on 28 February (or 29 February in a leap year). (3)       If

       (3)       If a period indicated in a written law is of 2, 3 or more months, it shall be reckoned from the date on which it is to begin to the date numerically corresponding, less one, in the second, third, or other successive month thereafter or, if there is no such corresponding date, to the last day of the latter month. For example: a period of 6 months beginning on 15 August ends on 14 February and a period of 6 months beginning on 30 or 31 August ends on 28 February (or 29 February in a leap year).

63.       Time for doing acts if no time fixed Where no time is fixed or allowed within which an act or thing shall be done, such act or thing shall be done with all convenient speed and as often as occasion arises.

64.       Power to extend time, construction of (1)       Where

       (1)       Where in a written law a time is fixed or allowed for doing any act or thing or taking any proceeding and power is given to a court or other authority to extend that time, such power may be exercised by the court or other authority although the application for an extension is not made until after the expiration of the time fixed or allowed. (2)       Subject

       (2)       Subject to section 3(3), this section applies to written laws passed or made after the commencement of this Act.

65.       Distance, measurement of In the measurement of any distance for the purposes of a written law, the distance shall be measured in a straight line on a horizontal plane.