The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 2) 2002

Re-opening of extortionate agreements

14.—(1) Where a defendant desires to have a credit agreement reopened in accordance with section 139(1)(b) or (c) he shall forthwith file and serve on the other party or parties to the proceedings a notice to that effect.

(2) If at the time of serving a notice under paragraph (1) the debtor or surety has not entered an appearance in the proceedings, the notice must specify an address for service as if it were a memorandum of appearance.

(3) After a notice under paragraph (1) has been served in an action begun by writ, judgment in default of appearance or in default of defence shall not be entered except with the leave of the Court.

(4) An application for leave under paragraph (3) must be made by summons supported by affidavit, and notwithstanding anything in Order 65 rule 9, the summons and a copy of the affidavit must be served on every other party to the proceedings.

(5) On the hearing of an application for leave under paragraph (3) or of any proceedings in which a notice under paragraph (1) has been filed, the Court may, whether or not the debtor or surety has entered an appearance or appears at the hearing, exercise the powers of the Court under sections 137 to 140.

(6) Where, on an application under paragraph (3), the Court refuses leave to enter judgment on a claim or any part of a claim, it may make or give any such order or direction as it might have made or given if the application had been an application under Order 14 rule 1 or Order 86 rule 1 (as the case may be) for judgment on the claim.