Time limits in the EAT

We all know the strict Abdelghafar rule against extending the 42-day time limit for appealing to the EAT. But what about the 28-day time limit that an Appellant has to apply for a r3(10) hearing if his/her appeal is rejected under r3(7)? Is it the strict Abdelghafar approach? Or the more relaxed approach the the EAT takes for, for example, lodging bundles of authorities or skeleton arguments?

This has now been decided by Underhill J. in Echendu v Morison Supermarkets. He holds that the strict Abdelghafar approach applies, so the 28-day time limit cannot be extended unless exceptional reasons apply (para 20).

He also holds that the 28-day period starts running from the date the r3(7) Notice is sent out, not the day it is received by the parties. Since the rule 3(7) Notice is not normally sealed by the EAT, the sensible rule of thumb is to assume that the letter is sent out on the date on the Notice itself, although that could be rebutted by other evidence (eg the postmark on the envelope) - paras. 13-15.

[Thanks to Dale Martin of Littleton Chambers, who successfully acted for the Respondent, for telling me about this case]