Section 140, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACTS, 1965

The Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff shall, as soon as may be after having received a copy of the indictment and noticeof trial, and three days at least before the day specified therein for trial, or within such lesser time as the Court may for good cause order, by himself or other person authorized by him, deliver to the party charged the said copy and notice and explain to him the nature and exigency thereof, and when the said party is not in custody or shall have been admitted to bail and cannot readily be found, he shall leave a copy of the said indictment and notice of trial with some person of his household for him, at his dwelling house and if none such can be found, shall affix the said copy and notice to the outer or principal door of the dwelling house of the party charged: Provided that— a. in any such case where an indictment is signed and filed without previous investigation and committal for trial, the accused shall be entitled to at least seven days notice as aforementioned; b. nothing herein contained shall prevent any person in custody or awaiting trial at the opening of or during any sessions, from being tried thereat, if he shall have been served with a copy of the indictment and notice of trial not less than three days or seven days, as the case may be, before the date on which he is to be tried; c. such last-mentioned period of three days or seven days may be reduced to a shorter period, if any such person shall express his assent thereto and no special objection be made on the part of the Crown. Return of service. Form 33 in Schedule II.