CCM12150 - Opening and Working Enquiries: Opening an enquiry - time to comply

Your letter opening the enquiry should contain an informal request for information and should always state the date by which it should be produced. Do not use vague expressions such as “as soon as possible, “at your earliest convenience”, etc. The date should always be at least 40 days from the date on which you send your letter. You should allow a longer time if you know, for example, that

• the claimant(s) is abroad
• the claimant(s) is incapacitated in circumstances which will prevent compliance within 40 days.