Rounds of evidence
31A.—(1)  Where the counter-statement has been filed, the Registrar must, after hearing the parties on the appropriate timelines, specify the periods within which the following evidence may be filed by the parties:
(a)statutory declaration setting out the evidence the opponent wishes to adduce in support of the opposition;
(b)statutory declaration setting out the evidence the applicant wishes to adduce in support of the application;
(c)statutory declaration setting out the opponent’s evidence in reply.
(2)  Each period specified by the Registrar under paragraph (1) must not be shorter than 2 months.
(3)  The opponent must file with the Registrar the statutory declaration mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) within —
(a)the period specified by the Registrar under paragraph (1) for that statutory declaration; or
(b)that period as extended under rule 32.
(4)  The applicant must file with the Registrar the statutory declaration mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) within —
(a)the period specified by the Registrar under paragraph (1) for that statutory declaration; or
(b)that period as extended under rule 32(7)(a) or 33.
(5)  The opponent may file with the Registrar the statutory declaration mentioned in paragraph (1)(c) within —
(a)the period specified by the Registrar under paragraph (1) for that statutory declaration; or
(b)that period as extended under rule 32(7)(a), 33(7)(a) or 34.
(6)  When the opponent files the statutory declaration mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) or (c), the opponent must, at the same time, serve a copy of the statutory declaration on the applicant.
(7)  When the applicant files the statutory declaration mentioned in paragraph (1)(b), the applicant must, at the same time, serve a copy of the statutory declaration on the opponent.
(8)  If the opponent fails to comply with paragraph (3) or (6) in respect of the statutory declaration mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), the opponent is treated as having withdrawn the opposition.
(9)  If the applicant fails to comply with paragraph (4) or (7), the applicant is treated as having withdrawn the application for registration.
(10)  The opponent’s statutory declaration in reply mentioned in paragraph (1)(c) must be confined to matters strictly in reply to the applicant’s statutory declaration mentioned in paragraph (1)(b).
[S 22/2017 wef 31/01/2017]