Answers Hub

Straight answers to the questions we are asked most about process serving, tracing and investigations in the UK. Every answer is written and reviewed by Tremark's senior team and updated as the law changes. New questions are added regularly.

Process serving essentials

How much does a process server cost in the UK? Who can serve court papers in the UK? How are court papers served in the UK? How do you serve a court order? What is an enquiry agent? What is a process server? How long does it take to serve court papers? Do you need a licence to be a process server in the UK? What is the difference between a process server and a court bailiff?

What process servers can and cannot do

Can a process server enter my property? What happens if you refuse to accept served documents? Can a process server leave documents with someone else? Can you be served court papers at work? Can court papers be served on a weekend or bank holiday? How many attempts will a process server make? What happens if you avoid a process server? How do process servers prove service? Do process servers take photos or video?

Methods and validity of service

Is service by email valid in England and Wales? What is deemed service under the CPR? When is a claim form deemed served? Can court documents be served by WhatsApp or social media? What is alternative service under CPR 6.15? When is personal service required? What is a certificate of service (form N215)? What is an affidavit of service and when is one needed? What is the 4.30pm rule for serving documents? Can proceedings be served on a company's registered office?

Serving claims and court deadlines

How long do you have to serve a claim form? What happens if a claim form is served late? When must particulars of claim be served? Why do claims fail on defective service? Can you serve a claim form on the defendant's solicitor? What are reasonable steps to find a defendant's address? How do you serve documents on a partnership or LLP? What is a witness summons and how is it served? Does an order with a penal notice have to be served personally?

Serving divorce papers

How are divorce papers served in the UK? Who can serve divorce papers? Can I serve divorce papers on my spouse myself? Do divorce papers have to be served in person? How long does it take for divorce papers to be served? Can divorce papers be served by email or post? What happens after divorce papers are served? How much does it cost to serve divorce papers?

Injunctions and urgent orders

How is a non-molestation order served? How quickly can an injunction be served? What proof of service does the family court need for an injunction? How are freezing orders served? Who serves injunctions: the court bailiff or a process server?

Statutory demands and insolvency

What is the minimum amount for a statutory demand? How is a statutory demand served? How much does it cost to serve a statutory demand? How is a bankruptcy or winding up petition served? What happens after a statutory demand is served? Does a statutory demand have to be served personally? How long does a statutory demand remain valid? Do you need a court judgment before serving a statutory demand? Statutory demand or winding-up petition: which comes first? Why do statutory demands get set aside? How is a winding-up petition served if the registered office is empty or has moved? Who can accept service of a winding-up petition? What happens after a winding-up petition is served? What proof of service does the court require for a winding-up petition? What happens if a debtor avoids service of a bankruptcy petition?

International and cross-border service

How are documents served in Scotland? How are documents served in Northern Ireland? How do you serve court documents outside England and Wales? What is the Hague Service Convention? How long does international service take?

Tracing and assets

How do you find someone's address in the UK? How can I find out where someone lives? How do you find someone's hidden assets? How do tracing agents find people? What is a pre-sue report? What is an asset inspection? Is tracing someone legal under UK GDPR? What is a no trace no fee service? What does an asset trace report show? How do you trace a debtor before court action? How do you trace an absconded tenant? How long does a people trace take? What information is needed to trace someone? Can you trace someone who has moved abroad? What is skip tracing? Can you trace someone's employer? How do you find missing beneficiaries of a will or estate? What happens if a beneficiary cannot be found? Can you trace the directors of a dissolved company? How do you know if a debtor is worth suing? What are the enforcement options after a county court judgment? Can a tracing agent obtain someone's bank details?

Surveillance

What is the difference between covert and overt surveillance? Is covert surveillance by private investigators legal in the UK? Is surveillance evidence admissible in civil proceedings? How do insurers use surveillance in injury claims? Can an employer commission surveillance on an employee? How much does surveillance cost in the UK? What does a surveillance report include? Do surveillance operatives give evidence in court? Is surveillance evidence admissible in family proceedings?