Common Law Procedure Act 1852

XVII Proceedings where personal Service cannot be effected, but Defendant knows of the Writ, and evades Service.

The Service of the Writ of Summons, wherever it may be practicable, shall, as heretofore, be personal; but it shall be lawful for the Plaintiff to apply from Time to Time, on Affidavit, to the Court out of which the Writ of Summons issued, or to a Judge; and in case it shall appear to such Court or Judge that reasonable Efforts have been made to effect personal Service, and either that the Writ has come to the Knowledge of the Defendant, or that he wilfully evades Service of the same, and has not appeared thereto, it shall be lawful for such Court or Judge to order that the Plaintiff be at liberty to proceed as if personal Service had been effected, subject to such Conditions as to the Court or Judge may seem fit.