If claim issued 14 May and the claimant wishes to serve the claim form and particulars separately, what is the latest date to serve the claim form?

• A. Midnight on 14 August
• B. Midnight on 14 September
• C. Midnight on 13 September
• D. Midnight on 15 September

Answer: (B)

The time limit for serving a claim form is four months from the date of issue, and that four-month period applies even if the claim form and particulars are served separately. From the issue date of 14 May, four months later is 14 September, and the service must be completed by midnight on that date. So the latest date to serve the claim form is midnight on 14 September. The other dates would fall short or exceed the four-month window.