Service in England and Wales

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This Overview guides practitioners to content on service of documents within England and Wales, with links to key rules and guidance. Service is a fundamental step in civil procedure: it founds the court’s jurisdiction, starts procedural time limits and underpins the validity of default judgments. Errors can be outcome‑determinative, engaging limitation risk and applications to set aside.

The framework is CPR Part 6 and its Practice Directions. Practitioners must select a permitted method, ensure service at compliant address and calculate deemed service accurately. Recurrent issues include service at a defendant’s last known residence (CPR 6.9), service on companies at a registered office or business address (CPR 6.9; Companies Act 2006, s.1139), and whether a solicitor is authorised to accept service (CPR 6.7). Electronic service requires consent and a specified address; absent consent, service by email is ineffective unless the court orders otherwise (PD 6A).

Time limits are critical. A claim form must be served within its period of validity (generally four months: CPR 7.5), with any extension sought prospectively (CPR 7.6). The rules on deemed service (CPR 6.14, 6.26) govern deadlines. The court may order alternative...

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