Service of Documents/Skeleton Argument

[PaoloNI]

Would there be any valid reason for service of a skeleton argument to a respondent (myself) to be a lot later than when the skeleton was served to the Court or composed? A civil case I am involved with was adjourned pending submission of an argument to convince the Judge why the applicant could pursue me for a debt outside the current legislation in my country (Northern Ireland).

The skeleton was dated at the end of February, I recieved notification that the case was relisted in March, but personally did not recieve the skeleton until last Saturday (coincidentally the last post day before a Bank Holiday).

[pt2537]

Would there be any valid reason for service of a skeleton argument to a respondent (myself) to be a lot later than when the skeleton was served to the Court or composed? A civil case I am involved with was adjourned pending submission of an argument to convince the Judge why the applicant could pursue me for a debt outside the current legislation in my country (Northern Ireland).

The skeleton was dated at the end of February, I recieved notification that the case was relisted in March, but personally did not recieve the skeleton until last Saturday (coincidentally the last post day before a Bank Holiday).

First it depends on the Court order. If the Court has ordered skeles to be filed and served later, then that may be ok

Second, normal practice is the parties will swap skeletons around 2 to 3 days before the hearing, i often get emailed skeletons on the friday before a monday hearing

[PaoloNI]

I wasn't aware of civil legal aid at the time of the original hearing and contested the claim myself, the judge accepted my account and asked for the applicant to submit an argument to support being able to pursue me outside the legislation here (Private Car Park, no POFA and driver(s) unknown/unidentifiable).
If the document was served to the Court in good time to preempt the relisting of the hearing, I can't understand why it would be served to myself so late as it has had a knock-on effect to me being able to seek counsel or some kind of legal advocate to argue on my behalf etc.
Do I need to submit a skeleton argument myself in reply? They are trying what appears to be some very creative ways of proving the law of agency. I have some evidence I'd like to submit before the case, but the delay has put yet more pressure on me as a litigant in person.