Noggin,
I knew someone out there would know the score.
I seem to recall under CAA rules that you used to only have 12 months to get the GFT passed after the writtens, or 6 months to get the writtens done if you were brave enough to take the GFT first! 36 months sounds like an improvement, and to be honest should not present a problem to those who are 'serious' about going all the way (if you haven't done the flying within 36 months of passing the groundschool then something has gone seriously wrong), but at least those wishing to pursue CPL groundschool only can still consider it, although my thoughts on it haven't changed and I would still question the wisdom if ATPL is the ultimate goal.
PP