Service in England and Wales

This Overview considers service of the claim form, defence and other documents in England and Wales. 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.

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.

Service process and considerations

When serving documents, especially the claim form and particulars of claim, the rules set out in CPR 6 and CPR 7, as well as other Parts of the CPR containing rules applicable to specific courts, are often difficult to navigate and there are a myriad of judgments highlighting the problems that have arisen when the rules have not been complied with. In addition to the provisions in the CPR, service may in some case be effected under provisions set out in the Companies Act 2006.

Valid service of the claim form goes to the root

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