Service in England and Wales

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis

This Overview considers service of the claim form, defence and other documents in England and Wales. For service outside England and Wales, see Practice Note: Cross-border service—a guide for dispute resolution practitioners.

If issues are encountered in relation to service of documents, different options may be available. For insight, see: Issues with service—overview.

For claims proceeding under the shorter trials scheme, set out in CPR PD 57AB, different service provisions apply. For guidance, see Practice Note: Business and Property Courts—shorter trials scheme.

Service process and considerations

When serving documents, especially the claim form and particulars of claim, the service rules in the CPR can be difficult to navigate and many judgments highlight the problems encountered where there has been non-compliance with the service rules.

The rules are set out in CPR 6 and CPR 7, as well as other Parts of the CPR which contain rules applicable to specific courts. For guidance, see: CPR provisions for service of the claim form in the jurisdiction—checklist. A parallel regime for service is set out in the Companies Act 2006. See Practice

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest PI & Clinical Negligence News

PI & Clinical Negligence weekly highlights—9 April 2026

This week's edition of PI & Clinical Negligence weekly highlights includes the 18th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, now available in Key...

ENRC battles SFO investigator over £1.8 million legal costs

Law360, London: A London judge ordered Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigator Antony Puddick on 8 April 2026 to disclose details of his solicitors'...

Eighteenth edition of the Judicial College Guidelines is published

The 18th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) has been published, following the 17th edition in 2024. The JCG remains the starting point...

Fundamental dishonesty, conscious exaggeration and psychiatric injury (Atuanya v MOD)

PI & Clinical Negligence analysis: Where a claimant suffering from psychiatric injury consciously exaggerates their symptoms in order to convince...

View PI & Clinical Negligence by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements[Insert addressee details]Dear [insert name][It is our understanding that [insert name of prospective employee] [was an employee of yours between the dates of [insert dates as appropriate] OR is a current employee of

Temporary repatriation facility—FAQs

Temporary repatriation facility—FAQsFor a summary of the changes to the taxation of non-domiciled individuals and the abolition of the remittance basis of taxation from 6 April 2025, see Practice Note: The abolition of the remittance basis of taxation from 2025–26. For information on the remittance
Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements[Insert addressee details]Dear [insert name][It is our understanding that [insert name of prospective employee] [was an employee of yours between the dates of [insert dates as appropriate] OR is a current employee of

Temporary repatriation facility—FAQs

Temporary repatriation facility—FAQs

Temporary repatriation facility—FAQsFor a summary of the changes to the taxation of non-domiciled individuals and the abolition of the remittance basis of taxation from 6 April 2025, see Practice Note: The abolition of the remittance basis of taxation from 2025–26. For information on the remittance