Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts
Key definition
Serving definition

What does Serving mean? In legal practice, serving means taking the steps required to effect service of a document so it is treated as given to the recipient (for example a claim form, notice, order or pleading) and time limits start to run. The term is descriptive rather than fixed; its meaning depends on the governing rule or instrument. In Ageas (UK) Ltd v Kwik‑Fit (gb) Ltd [2013] EWHC 3271 (QB) at [54], the court noted that “serving” can bear different meanings—dispatch, receipt, or a deemed date—so context and any deemed‑service provisions must be checked. Across England and Wales (CPR Part 6),...

Read More Right Arrow

Cross-border service where the Hague Choice of Court Convention applies: CPR 6.33, Form N510 and Hague Service Convention methods (England and Wales)

Practice notes
imgtext

This Practice Note highlights points to address when arranging service of documents outside the Jurisdiction in disputes where the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction to hear the matter under the Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements. The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements is an international convention applied in cross-border cases to settle questions of jurisdiction and enforcement in civil and commercial matters. A prerequisite is that the parties have agreed an exclusive jurisdiction clause, ie an exclusive choice of court agreement. For guidance on the convention itself, see Practice Notes: Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements—scope and Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements—jurisdiction. The convention is in force only for a limited number of countries. For which states, see: Tracker—Hague Convention on Choice of Courts Agreements.

Contractually agreement methods of service

When Serving documents beyond England and Wales, an initial consideration is whether the parties have included a contractual service clause. Such a clause may set out the method of service or the place for service. If such a clause exists and provides for service in England and/or Wales, this could remove the need to serve...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow