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Court Deadline Calculator

Last Updated:

Calculate legal filing deadlines by adding court days or calendar days to any date — essential for litigation planning.

🌍 Litigation Tool✔ Court & Calendar Days

⏰ Court Deadline Calculator

Results update instantly

Date of incident, service, or court order
days
Filing Deadline
—
Enter a start date
Deadline Date
—
Days Until Deadline
—
Day of Week
—
⚠️ Always verify deadlines with a qualified attorney. Court rules vary by jurisdiction and court. This tool is for preliminary planning only.
Common Legal Deadlines — Quick Reference
30 days
Notice of appeal (many)
60 days
CCMA referral (SA unfair dismissal)
180 days
EEOC charge (USA)
1 year
Personal injury (many states)
3 years
Contract claim (SA / UK default)

How to Use the Court Deadline Calculator

1

Enter the triggering event date

Input the date that starts the clock — typically the date of service, filing, incident, or court order. Accuracy here is critical; errors flow through to every calculated deadline.

2

Select the deadline type

Choose from the most common court deadlines: response to complaint, notice of appeal, statute of limitations, or custom day count. Verify the applicable rule for your jurisdiction.

3

Choose calendar vs business days

Most federal deadlines under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure use calendar days. Some state courts and contractual deadlines use business days only. Confirm which rule applies before relying on the result.

4

Calendar the result immediately

Add the deadline to your calendar with reminders at 14 days, 7 days, and 48 hours out. Missing a court deadline can result in default judgment, dismissal, or permanent waiver of rights.

Court Day vs Calendar Day — What's the Difference?

In litigation, "days" can mean different things depending on the court rules. Calendar days include every day including weekends and public holidays. Court days (also called "business days") count only Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays. A 10 court-day deadline may be 12–16 calendar days depending on where weekends and holidays fall.

Statute of Limitations — Common Periods

  • South Africa: Prescription Act — 3 years (general), 6 months (government claims)
  • United Kingdom: 6 years (contract), 3 years (personal injury), 12 years (deed)
  • United States: Varies by state and claim type — 1–6 years typical
  • Canada: 2 years (Ontario Limitations Act), varies by province

A limitation period clock typically starts on the date you knew (or ought to have known) of the claim. Missing a limitation period is generally fatal to the claim — it cannot be revived.

Frequently Asked Questions

The EEOC filing deadline is 180 days from the discriminatory act in states without a state agency, or 300 days in states with a Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA). For federal employees, the deadline is 45 days to contact an EEO counselor. Missing the deadline typically bars your claim permanently.
Court deadlines are typically calculated in calendar days from the triggering event (service of documents, filing date, or court order). Some rules exclude the first day and include the last. When the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, it generally moves to the next business day. Always verify the specific rules for your jurisdiction and court.
Statute of limitations by state: most states allow 2–3 years for personal injury claims. Notable exceptions: Louisiana (1 year), Kentucky and Tennessee (1 year), Maine and North Dakota (6 years). The clock typically starts on the date of injury, though the 'discovery rule' can delay it when injuries aren't immediately apparent.
Under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 6(a), if a deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the deadline automatically extends to the next business day. Most state courts follow the same rule. Always verify your jurisdiction's specific rules — some states have different holiday schedules and counting methods.
⚠️ Disclaimer Estimates only. Not financial or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional.

Sources & Methodology

Calculations are based on the most current publicly available data from authoritative government and industry sources: