Article 66e - Time limits

1. Time limits shall be laid down in terms of full years, months, weeks or days. Calculation shall start on the day following the day on which the relevant event occurred. The duration of time limits shall be no less than one month and no more than six months, unless otherwise set out in this Regulation or in any acts adopted pursuant to this Regulation. 

2. The Executive Director shall determine, before the commencement of each calendar year, the days on which the Office is not open for receipt of documents.

3. The Executive Director shall determine the duration of the period of interruption in the case of an actual interruption of the Office’s connection to authorised electronic means of communication. 

4. If an exceptional occurrence, such as a natural disaster or strike, interrupts or interferes with proper communication from the parties to the proceedings to the Office or vice-versa, the Executive Director may determine that, for parties to the proceedings that have their residence or registered office in the geographical area affected by the exceptional occurrence, or who have appointed a representative with a place of business in that area, all time limits that otherwise would expire on or after the date of commencement of such occurrence shall be extended until a certain date. When determining that date, the Executive Director shall assess when the exceptional occurrence comes to an end. If the occurrence affects the seat of the Office, such determination of the Executive Director shall specify that it applies in respect of all parties to the proceedings.