courts are on vacation and not due back until October.

A defence to a case has to be put in 10 days after an appearance has been entered. The appearance was entered by the defendants solicitor in late July. The courts are on vacation and not due back until October. Does this mean that the defendants solicitor does not have to put in a defence until the courts reopen in October?

No.

The court offices are still open. They still must file a defence within the time limits in the circuit court rules.

He is correct.

Thanks.