Get the details right before dispatch
Serving legal documents can involve a specific method, a strict timetable and a particular form of evidence. PDC offers process serving across the UK, working from the instructions for the matter. An early, complete brief helps identify practical problems before a deadline is close.
The required method depends on the document, proceedings and relevant jurisdiction. Your solicitor should confirm the legal requirements and any court directions. Do not assume that handing over a document, posting it or sending an email will always satisfy the rules for your case.
What your instruction should include
Tell us precisely what needs to be served, on whom and by when. If you have a solicitor, ask whether they would prefer to instruct us directly. Clear written instructions are particularly useful where there are several recipients, multiple sets of papers or unusual conditions.
- The complete documents and the identity of each intended recipient.
- The address to attend and the basis for believing it is current.
- The applicable deadline, permitted method and any relevant court directions.
- Any identifying information you legitimately hold and relevant practical risks.
- The form of service evidence your adviser requires and where it should be returned.
Plan for an unsuccessful first attempt
A recipient may be absent, the address may be outdated or the information supplied may not identify the right person. Discuss the planned number of attempts, reporting arrangements and any additional costs before work begins. If fresh tracing is needed, that should be identified as a separate piece of work.
An accurate account of an unsuccessful attendance can still be useful to your solicitor. It allows them to assess the next procedural step rather than assume that service has taken place. We do not promise that a person will be available or that every attempted service will succeed.
What you receive
The output records what happened, including the relevant attendance details and outcome. The required formal document may vary, so agree it at the outset. Your legal adviser remains responsible for assessing whether the steps taken meet the requirements of the proceedings.
For an urgent request, state the actual deadline in your first message and check availability before relying on an attendance. If the papers involve more than one country, flag this immediately: international service needs specific consideration and should not be treated as an ordinary UK delivery.
Questions you may have
Can I instruct you without a solicitor?
You can enquire directly. You will need to provide clear instructions and establish the requirements applying to your documents; seek legal advice if you are unsure.
What if the recipient has moved?
We report what is established at the address. A tracing enquiry may help identify another lead, but additional work and costs should be agreed before proceeding.
Is service guaranteed?
No. Availability, identity and procedural requirements can affect the outcome. What matters is an agreed plan and an accurate record of each relevant step.