The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Revision) 1980

Appointment of guardian where person under disability does not appear

4.—(1) Where—

(a)in an action against a person under disability begun by writ, or by originating summons to which an appearance is required to be entered, no appearance is entered in the action for that person, or

(b)the defendant to an action serves a defence and counterclaim on a person under disability who is not already a party to the action; and no appearance is entered for that person,

an application for the appointment by the Court of a guardian ad litem of that person must be made by the plaintiff or defendant, as the case may be, after the time limited (as respects that person) for appearing and before proceeding further with the action or counterclaim.

(2) Where a party to an action has served on a person under disability who is not already a party to the action a third party notice within the meaning of Order 16 and no appearance is entered for that person to the notice, an application for the appointment by the Court of a guardian ad litem of that person must be made by that party after the time limited (as respects that person) for appearing and before proceeding further with the third party proceedings.

(3) Where in any proceedings against a person under disability begun by petition or originating motion, or by originating summons to which no appearance need be entered, that person does not appear by a guardian ad litem at the hearing of the petition, motion or summons, as the case may be, the Court hearing it may appoint a guardian ad litem of that person in the proceedings or direct that an application be made by the petitioner or applicant, as the case may be, for the appointment of such a guardian.

(4) At any stage in the proceedings in the Chancery Division under any judgment or order, notice of which has been served on a person under disability, the Court may, if no appearance is entered for that person, appoint a guardian ad litem of that person in the proceedings or direct that an application be made for the appointment of such a guardian.

(5) An application under paragraph (1) or (2) must be supported by evidence proving—

(a)that the person to whom the application relates is a person under disability,

(b)that the person proposed as guardian ad litem is willing and a proper person to act as such and has no interest in the proceedings adverse to that of the person under disability,

(c)that the writ, originating summons, defence and counterclaim or third party notice, as the case may be, was duly served on the person under disability, and

(d)subject to paragraph (6), that notice of the application was, after the expiration of the time limited for appearing and at least 7 days before the day named in the notice for hearing of the application, so served on him.

(6) If the Court so directs, notice of an application under paragraph (1) or (2) need not be served on a person under disability.

(7) An application for the appointment of a guardian ad litem made in compliance with a direction of the Court given under paragraph (3) or (4) must be supported by evidence proving the matters referred to in paragraph (5)(b).