12/12/2025
PUBLIC NOTICE: UNDERSTANDING DIES NON AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND THE PUBLIC
(12 December 2025 – 16 January 2026)
The period from Friday, 12 December 2025 to Friday, 16 January 2026 has been designated as dies non within the legal calendar. It is important for members of the public, clients, and legal practitioners to understand what dies non means and how it affects legal processes.
1. What is Dies Non?
Dies non juridicus (commonly shortened to dies non) refers to days on which courts do not sit, and on which certain legal timeframes do not run. These days are traditionally excluded from computation in procedural timelines unless legislation or a specific court order provides otherwise.
In essence, a dies non is a “non-working day” for court activity.
2. How Dies Non Affects Court Operations
During this period:
Courts generally do not hear regular matters.
Filing offices may operate on limited hours or may be closed altogether depending on jurisdictional practice.
Only urgent matters may be entertained, subject to the rules of the relevant court.
Members of the public relying on court services should anticipate delays and plan accordingly.
3. Impact on Legal Practitioners
For attorneys, advocates, and other legal professionals:
Procedural time limits, such as those for filing pleadings, submitting responses, or complying with court directives are typically suspended and resume after dies non ends.
Legal practitioners should verify the exact rules of the court in which their matters are pending, particularly where timelines are set by specific orders.
Urgent applications remain permissible, but normal case progression pauses.
4. Implications for the Public
If you have an active legal matter, the dies non period may affect:
Filing or receiving court documents
Scheduled hearings or trial dates
Deadlines given by legal representatives or opposing parties
Progress on administrative legal processes
You are advised to stay in close communication with your legal representative to understand how this period affects your specific case.
5. After Dies Non
All regular court functions will resume on Monday, 19 January 2026, and all procedural timelines will recommence from that date, unless otherwise directed by the court.
