Process Server UK: Nationwide Legal Document Service

Process serving services across the UK

UKPI provides process serving services for legal documents across the UK, the Channel Islands and international locations. If you need to hire a process server, instructions can begin as soon as the documents and service details are received, or on the date requested by the client.

The fixed fee is £175, with no VAT, and includes up to three attendance attempts. Same-day, urgent, evening and weekend instructions are accepted. Our process servers follow the agreed instructions and record the outcome of each attendance.

Process serving is the formal delivery of legal documents to the person or organisation named in a case. The method, timing and evidence required can depend on the document and the instruction. UKPI therefore confirms the recipient, address, deadline and requested proof before attendance.

Who can instruct or hire a process server?

UKPI accepts process serving enquiries from solicitors, legal teams, businesses, landlords and private clients. You should provide a lawful instruction, the documents to be served and enough information to identify the correct recipient.

Documents can be sent by email. Include the recipient’s full name, the address for attendance, any known working hours or access details, the service deadline and any special instructions. Clear information helps the process server plan the first attendance without avoidable delay.

If the recipient’s current address is uncertain, a separate debtor tracing service or witness location instruction may be needed before service is attempted.

Legal documents we can serve

The service is designed for clients who need to serve legal documents on a named person or organisation. Common instructions include:

• Court orders, claims, applications and summonses
• Divorce petitions and financial orders
• Injunctions and restraining orders
• Statutory demands and winding-up petitions
• Witness summonses
• Landlord, tenant and property-related notices
• Legal correspondence requiring recorded delivery to a person or organisation

Send the documents and instructions before attendance so the requirements can be checked. UKPI will not assume that every document follows the same procedure.

How the process serving instruction works

1. Send the documents by email. Include the recipient’s details, the service address, the deadline and the proof you require.
2. Confirm the instruction. UKPI checks the information supplied and records when the first attendance should take place.
3. Begin attendance. Work starts immediately after receipt unless the client asks for a particular date or time.
4. Make up to three attempts. The fixed £175 fee includes up to three attendance attempts.
5. Report the result. UKPI confirms the outcome and supplies the requested form of proof when service is completed.

Starting immediately does not mean that the recipient will always be served on the first visit. Access, the recipient’s movements and the instructions for the document can affect when service is completed.

Urgent, same-day and out-of-hours service

Urgent process serving and same-day process serving instructions are accepted, including evening and weekend attendance. Send the documents and deadline as early as possible so the requested timing can be checked before the instruction begins.

Some recipients are more likely to be available outside standard working hours. Where an evening or weekend visit is requested, that timing is recorded as part of the instruction. UKPI begins work immediately upon receipt or attends when the client requests.

Fixed process serving fee and attendance attempts

The process serving fee is fixed at £175. No VAT is added. The fee includes up to three attendance attempts.

If the recipient cannot be served within those attempts, UKPI reports the outcome. A new instruction may then be required. The next step depends on the circumstances and any advice supplied by the client’s legal representative.

The page states the included attempts plainly so clients can understand what the fixed fee covers before instructing.

Proof supplied after service

UKPI can provide the form of proof requested by the client. Depending on the instruction, this may be a Statement of Service, an Affidavit of Service or a Certificate of Service.

The required document should be identified when the instruction is sent. This avoids treating one form of proof as suitable for every matter. The service record can confirm the date, time, place and outcome of attendance where those details are required.

If further material is needed for proceedings, UKPI also provides separate evidence gathering services.

UK and international coverage

Process serving is available across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Channel Islands and international locations. Send the destination and deadline with the documents so the instruction can be arranged for the correct area.

For more detail about document service, deadlines and the information to provide, read the UK process serving guide. To request service, use the confidential enquiry form on this page or call 0800 043 1754.