177. A plaintiff who fails to file a request for setting down within the strict time limit is presumed to have discontinued the application, unless another party files such a request within 30 days after the expiry of the time limit.
The court may relieve the plaintiff from this sanction if it is satisfied that it was impossible in fact for the latter to act within the time limit. In such an instance, the court modifies the case protocol and sets a new time limit, which cannot be extended except for compelling reasons.