SCC Claim - Dispute letter returned past due date

A friend received a small claims court letter with regards to damage incurred on a customers property while it was in their care.

Customer was asked to produce estimate for repairs, they said they would, but small claims letter for €2000 arrived via registered post while my friend was away. Member of staff received letter and didn’t inform friend (on holidays) until past the due date.

Court was sent email explaining but officer said 15 days up as reply dispute letter didn’t arrive within 15 days - email was sent to court within 14 days ( don’t think that counts regardless) and there sending dispute letter today, despite court saying time is up.

Court said they hadn’t received any indication how customer arrived at €2000.

Their not internet savvy, and though I said proper procedures should have been put in place for member of staff to deal with SCC process while they were away, they’d like me to ask:

1. If SCC letter is delayed in post - would this still be accepted?

2. Do working days count in SCC ‘15-day’ cutoff?

3. Are there grounds for appeal on this, considering customer was asked to produce estimate and didn’t even produce it to court.

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