BCAR you appear to have got the wrong end of the stick. MEL reliefs are used to allow an aircraft to continue in service with a defect. The MEL is not a maintenance document it is a FLT OP's controlled document and agreed with the Authority. For this reason the Deferred Defect Record is examined by the FLT CREW and may depart a station with an active MEL relief provided it has not expired. Should it expire in flight it may continue but cannot depart again as the aircraft is no longer serviceable unless the MEL relief is extended or cleared.