5.49 Appearance and objection to jurisdiction
  • (1) A defendant who objects to the jurisdiction of the court to hear and determine the proceeding may, within the time allowed for filing a statement of defence and instead of so doing, file and serve an appearance stating the defendant’s objection and the grounds for it.

    (2) The filing and serving of an appearance does not operate as a submission to the jurisdiction of the court.

    (3) A defendant who has filed an appearance may apply to the court to dismiss the proceeding on the ground that the court has no jurisdiction to hear and determine it.

    (4) The court hearing an application under subclause (3) must,—

    • (a) if it is satisfied that it has no jurisdiction to hear and determine the proceeding, dismiss the proceeding; but

    • (b) if it is satisfied that it has jurisdiction to hear and determine the proceeding, dismiss the application and set aside the appearance.

    (5) At any time after an appearance has been filed, the plaintiff may apply to the court by interlocutory application to set aside the appearance.

    (6) The court hearing that application must,—

    • (a) if it is satisfied that it has jurisdiction to hear and determine the proceeding, set aside the appearance; but

    • (b) if it is satisfied that it has no jurisdiction to hear and determine the proceeding, dismiss both the application and the proceeding.

    (7) To the extent that an application under this rule relates to service of process effected outside New Zealand under rule 6.27 or 6.28, it must be determined under rule 6.29.

    (8) The court, in exercising its powers under this rule, may do so on any terms and conditions the court thinks just and, in particular, on setting aside the appearance it may extend the time within which the defendant may file and serve a statement of defence and may give any directions that appear necessary regarding any further steps in the proceeding in all respects as though the application were an application for directions under rule 7.9.

    (9) If the appearance set aside has been filed in relation to a proceeding in which the plaintiff has applied for judgment under rule 12.2 or 12.3, the court—

    • (a) must fix the time within which the defendant may file and serve—

      • (i) a notice of opposition; and

      • (ii) an affidavit by or on behalf of the defendant in answer to the affidavit by or on behalf of the plaintiff; and

    • (b) may, under subclause (8), give any other directions that appear necessary regarding any further steps in the proceeding.

    Compare: 1908 No 89 Schedule 2 r 131