Legal Definitions - ferial day

A ferial day refers to a weekday that is not a public holiday. In legal and administrative contexts, it signifies a regular working day when courts are typically open, government offices conduct business, and legal deadlines are generally observed. It stands in contrast to weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and official holidays, which are often excluded when calculating time periods for legal actions or when determining when certain operations can occur.

• Example 1: Court Filing Deadline
  A lawyer is preparing to file an appeal brief, and the court rules state that the brief must be submitted "by the close of business on the fifteenth ferial day following the lower court's decision."

  This means the lawyer must count fifteen actual working days, excluding any Saturdays, Sundays, or official public holidays, from the date the lower court issued its decision. If the fifteenth calendar day happens to be a weekend or a holiday, the deadline would automatically extend to the next available ferial day.

• Example 2: Contractual Notice Period
  A commercial lease agreement specifies that "any notice of intent to vacate must be delivered in writing at least sixty ferial days prior to the lease expiration date."

  Here, the landlord requires sixty days where the business is typically operating and able to receive and process such a notice. This prevents a tenant from serving notice on a Friday before a long holiday weekend, effectively shortening the landlord's practical notice period.

• Example 3: Government Service Availability
  A state regulation mandates that "applications for professional licenses will be reviewed and processed only during ferial days."

  This clarifies that the state licensing board's staff will only be available to handle and review applications on standard weekdays, excluding weekends and any state-recognized holidays. An applicant submitting documents on a Saturday would understand that processing would not begin until the next ferial day.