The Court of Protection Rules 2017

Methods of service

6.3.—(1) A document may be served by any of the methods specified in this rule.

(2) Where it is not known whether a solicitor is acting on behalf of a person, the document may be served by—

(a) delivering it to the person personally;

(b) delivering it to the person’s home address or last known home address; or

(c) sending it to that address, or last known address, by first class post (or by an alternative method of service which provides for delivery on the next working day).

(3) Where a solicitor—

(a) is authorised to accept service on behalf of a person; and

(b) has informed the person serving the document in writing that the solicitor is so authorised,

the document must be served on the solicitor unless personal service is required by an enactment, rule, practice direction or court order.

(4) Where it appears to the court that there is a good reason to authorise service by a method other than those specified in paragraphs (2) and (3), the court may direct that service is to be effected by that method.

(5) A direction that service is to be effected by an alternative method must specify—

(a) the method of service; and

(b) the date on which the document will be deemed to be served.

(6) A practice direction may set out how documents are to be served by document exchange, electronic communication or other means.