V. THE RESPONDENT’S RESPONSE TO THE OBJECTIONS RAISED BY THE APPLICANTS 25. In response, the Respondent maintained that the Applicants’ allegation according to which the brief had been filed out of time, was groundless for the following reasons: i The letter from the African Court dated 18 September 2014, did not stipulate a time limit for the Respondent to file its Response; il. The Respondent grounded its argument on Rule 37 of the Rules of Court which days allows it sixty (60) within which to file its Response. The Respondent affirmed having received on 17 November 2014, a letter from the Registrar of the Court dated 12 November 2014, notifying it that it had thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the letter, to react; iii. The Respondent transmitted December that 2014, is, its Response prior to the to the Court by email dated expiry of the time limit set by 12 the Registrar, but omitted to attach the Response; iv. By email thereof dated and, 13 by December another email Respondent that its Response notice of the aforesaid forwarded the Response, 26. 2014, email dated had on the Registry 15 not been acknowledged December attached. 17 December 2014 2014, The and, receipt notified the Respondent took on the same day, together with its Annexures. The Respondent maintained, for the above reasons, that it had complied with all the guidelines preliminary issued by the Registry objection and, and, therefore, in that case, prayed the Court to dismiss the grant it leave to file its Response all the same. 11| : » ZA ea “2 5 Os @. . + y&