service of process
1
8.4
- noun
- /ˈsɜrvɪs əv ˈprɑsɛs/
- Formal
:
notificación judicial
- The lawyer explained the importance of service of process to ensure the defendant receives notice of the legal action against them.
- electronic service of process
- venue for service of process
- service of process and personal jurisdiction
Examples
-
Most lawyers think it's only a matter of time before electronic service of process becomes commonplace.
Academic text (2011) -
The Hague Service Convention requires the use of model forms for requesting service of process abroad.
Academic text (1992) -
In cases where the defendant is outside the state and outside the United States, issues related to service of process may be significant.
Academic text (1992) -
Similarly, many countries consider service of process a governmental function.
Academic text (2017) -
An accused person or defendant will be properly before the court if the rules regarding venue and service of process have been observed.
Academic text (1991) -
For example, CERCLA provides for nationwide service of process in any action brought by the United States.
Academic text (1992) -
A determination that service of process could lawfully be made upon the company would also be required.
Academic text (1992) -
Many state and federal statutes disallow electronic service of process, lawyers say.
Academic text (2011) -
Suffice it to say that service of process creates no obstacles in the Canadian-U.S. context.
Academic text (1991) -
To explore this theory, this article traces the evolution of four procedural doctrines: discovery of foreign evidence, forum non conveniens, service of process abroad, and the recognition of foreign judgments.
Academic text (2017)
Synonyms
19
7.7
A formal delivery of legal papers to a person
15
8.1
Giving a legal document to the person named in it
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a specialized legal term referring to the formal delivery of court documents; its specific sense (delivering a writ/summons) is technical and not the ordinary meaning of 'service' or 'process' that a B1 learner would know. The common senses of 'service' (help, maintenance) and 'process' (a series of steps) do not transparently combine to yield this legal action, so prior legal exposure is required.
Etymology
The term service of process comes from the image of handing someone official papers: service means delivering, and process means the formal papers used to 'start a case'. So it means delivering those legal documents to a person so the court action can go ahead.