A process server acts as the oil that keeps the wheels of legal processes turning smoothly.
They deliver significant legal documentation to the right person at the right time, whether this be an individual, a company, or organisation. They’re particularly helpful for cases in which the recipient can’t be tracked down, or if the recipient poses a threat to the papers’ sender.
The practice of process serving ensures that important legal documents are delivered in the right manner and that they can be proven to have been delivered successfully.
Process servers will carefully abide by the law and all regulations surrounding this delicate procedure. They can be a real asset to those in a vulnerable position during legal action.
What can a process server do?
A process server will essentially do everything in their power to ensure they handle documents safely and completely. Depending on each case, the requirements to do so may involve various forms of action.
To complete the serving, they can:
- Gather information to locate the address of an absent recipient
- Act quickly to speed the serving process along
- Follow specific instructions or guidelines where necessary
- Adhere to all Data Protection and Human Rights legislation
- Keep you updated at all times and advising you on the best action for your situation
- Monitor your case and return all information to you on time
- Deal appropriately with dangerous situations such as attempted violence or assault
- Involve the relevant authorities such as police when necessary
Part of the serving process may involve tracking down the recipient. The process server will do all they can to ensure that the papers go to the right person, in the right place. Learn more about how process servers can locate an individual here.
What sorts of documents can process servers handle?
It’s more than divorce papers. They can serve a range of documents, including:
- Claim forms, summons and writs
- Court orders
- Statutory demands
- Bankruptcy Petitions
- Proceedings for child and family arrangements
- Witness summons
- Divorce papers
- Non-molestation orders
- Section 21 Notices and Break Notices
Why shouldn’t I serve documents myself?
To serve documents on time and in accordance with the law, consider hiring a professional process server handle them. These process servers are completely impartial to the proceedings, so they provide more reliable proof of service than parties. This might become helpful if your matter ends up involving a court case.
In certain cases, it may be risky to approach a recipient yourself, such as in the event of a contentious divorce or when contacting an individual with a history of aggression.
Legal documents or court orders are often complicated to process in the UK. They can be served in a number of ways. A letterbox can be used for some orders or papers while others require personal service only. There are some paper types that can be letterboxed at an address, but a set process needs to be followed first.
Your case can be hindered or dismissed if the service is not performed according to the law.
Using the service of an experienced process server will ensure that the papers are served on time, and in accordance with the law to smooth the proceedings along.
What evidence do I get that the documents were served?
After the documents have been served, you should receive either a Certificate of Service, a Statement of Service, or Sworn Affidavit from the process server. The type of evidence required will depend on each case. These forms usually need to be lodged with the court prior to the hearing.
With Able Investigations, you will receive reporting on all activity throughout the process.
The final proof of service will include:
- Who served your documents
- When the serving occurred
- The actions taken to verify the recipient’s identity
- The response of the recipient, such as any abusive language or violence which may be relevant to the case
Why should I choose Able Investigations as my process servers?
Able Investigations can assist you with serving legal papers or court orders on your behalf. Serving process is one of our specialties, and we aim to serve it within 24 hours.
Based in Bristol, we take on matters throughout England and Wales, where we work closely with law firms throughout the UK.
Quick and legal service
From tenant and landlord lease break notices to divorce petitions, our process servers will serve all legal papers and court orders for you.
The team at Able Investigations is highly skilled in both residential and commercial legal matters, and our company acts for clients in many cases, including traveller evictions and high court enforcement. As a result, we’re able to assess the situation and respond appropriately to your particular requirements.
What our Process Servers can offer you
It’s important to us that we ensure that the job is done properly at Able Investigations and Enforcement. Our Certified Enforcement Officers personally serve all documents (where possible), so we can guarantee that only our company’s Certificated Enforcement Officers will serve the papers.
In addition to this, we can offer you;
- A visit to the service address to deliver documents up to three times for a fixed fee of £125+VAT if necessary.
- A customised report according to your needs. We email you an update after every visit to make sure you’re always up to date. We also arrange to have a phone call if you are more comfortable with that.
- You’ll also get a daily update confirming all instructions received that day
- 24/7 Service- The staff at our company have many years of experience in the legal sector, and are always available to serve documents out of hours; unless otherwise specified,
- Any visits to private addresses will include at least one visit outside of normal working hours unless otherwise stated
- Anout of hours support number – our 24-hour emergency number is available to any clients needing our help
- Appropriate documentation. We offer certificates of service and affidavits of service. Documented evidence will be provided once we have served the papers. From more than twenty years of experience, we have never had a case thrown out for the failure of our certificates.
We’re Here to Help you serve your legal papers
We require a fixed fee of £125.00 + VAT for process serving, but we also offer a 25% discount on ‘volume work’, which is work over ten cases on a weekly basis.
Please call one of our experts on 0345 366 0000 or use our contact form for additional information on process serving or to discuss your requirements. We provide a 24-hour service with our emergency contact number being 07721 46 00 28 if you require information outside of normal business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a process server cost in the UK?
Process servers generally cost between £100 and £140 for a non-urgent service. If there’s a more immediate time frame for the service, it will cost more- between £250 and £300. At Able, we provide a 24/7 service for a fixed fee of £125 plus VAT. We also offer discounts when individuals or businesses require a large volume of services.
What happens if court papers cannot be served in the UK?
Several attempts must be made to serve papers. The process server may also try to contact the defendant through alternative addresses, such as their work address. They may also engage investigation services to find out how to locate them. If these fail, in some cases it is allowed to serve paper through a third party, the newspaper, or social media.
Comments are closed.