Documents served, properly
Most process serving is straightforward. The jobs that come to us are usually the ones that are not: a recipient who will not answer the door, who has moved without notice, or who has already turned away one process server.
We serve documents on evasive persons, and we do it in a way that survives scrutiny. Every service is followed by a signed affidavit of service, prepared for filing.
Documents we serve
- Family law applications and orders
- Subpoenas and summonses
- Statements of claim and creditor’s petitions
- Apprehended violence order applications
- Any document requiring personal service under the rules
Why service fails, and how we avoid it
Service usually fails for one of two reasons: the address is wrong, or the attempts were all made at the same predictable time.
We deal with both. Where the address is doubtful we confirm it first, and if the person has moved we can locate them (see Locate a Person) and then serve. Attempts are made at varied times, including early mornings, evenings and weekends, because a recipient who is avoiding service has usually worked out the pattern of a nine to five attempt.
Turnaround
Give us the documents and the details and we will begin immediately. Urgent matters with a filing deadline should be flagged when you call so we can prioritise them.
What we cannot do
We cannot force a person to accept a document, break into a property, or misrepresent who we are to gain entry. Where personal service genuinely cannot be effected, the proper answer is an application for substituted service, and our affidavit of attempts is what supports that application.
We will tell you when we think you have reached that point rather than continuing to bill attempts that are not going to work.