Service in England and Wales

This Overview considers service of the claim form, defence and other documents in England and Wales. Note that for claims proceeding under the shorter trials scheme, set out in CPR PD 57AB, different service provisions apply. For guidance, see Practice Note: Business and Property Courts—shorter trials scheme.

For service outside England and Wales, see Practice Note: Cross-border service—a guide for dispute resolution practitioners.

If issues are encountered in relation to service of documents, different options may be available. For insight, see: Issues with service—overview.

Service process and considerations

For those who have not been involved with the service of documents, there are a large number of considerations when determining when and by what means you need to effect service.

This is particularly important when serving the claim form as valid service goes to the root of the court's jurisdiction, it is not simply a a technical requirement. For an overarching understanding, see Practice Note: Service in England and Wales—a guide for Dispute Resolution Practitioners, alongside Service of the claim form in England and Wales—flowchart which provides a visual representation

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