Service of Process Flashcards

1
Q

how does service of process vary

A

varies a lot by state

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2
Q

what does sop mean

A

generally means service of a summons on the defendant, which formally gives the court j over the case and gives the def notice of the action

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3
Q

how is personal service used

A

-used to assert in personam
- used for in rem/quasi in rem when the identity of an interested party is known

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4
Q

how is service by publication used

A

only appropriate for in rem actions when that is the best that the serving party could do

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5
Q

what is the constitutional test for sop

A

notice must be reasonable under the circumstances. this is vague because relatively rare cases turn on whether sop has been satisfied; that is because fed and state courts have specific rules on sop, and if you generally follow them you will be good

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6
Q

how do federal rules interact with state sop laws

A

authorize service in accordance with state law where the federal court sits (service is okay as long as it follows the law of the state in which the fed court is based)

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7
Q

what is the general rule on who the FRCP allows to serve summons and complaint (2)?

A

FRCP authorizes any person who:
-at least 18 years old, and
-not party to the action

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8
Q

regardless of the state law, what kinds of service are always allowed under the Federal Rules for a federal action (4)?

A

1) in hand personal delivery
2)leaving the summons at the defendant’s dwelling or usual place of abode with a person of suitable age and discretion
3)delivery of the summons to an authorized agent
4) for persons in foreign countries, service can be made by registered mail, return receipt requested

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9
Q

can service by mail be made to the attorney of record?

A

generally not unless state law so provides, even though other docs are served by mail

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10
Q

what is the time limit for service?

A

unless it is made in a foreign country, plaintiff must serve the summons and complaint within 90 days after filing the complaint

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11
Q

what if plaintiff shows good cause for why service was not timely made

A

then court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period

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12
Q

what if plaintiff does not show good cause for why service was not timely made

A

court, on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff, must dismiss the action without prejudice against that def OR order that the service be made within a specified time

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13
Q

what is the special rule for fed sop on an infant (minor)

A

service must be made on infant AND parent/guardian

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14
Q

what is the special rule for fed sop on an adjudicated incompetent

A

service must be made on the incompetent AND her guardian

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15
Q

what is the special rule for fed sop on a partnership

A

service on a general partner, an attorney in fact, or an authorized agent is fine

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16
Q

what is the special rule for fed sop on corp

A

service on an officer, director, managing agent, or on an agent appointed for receiving sop or authorized by statute (if agent is authorized by statute, and if the statute so requires, then the plaintiff must also mail a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant)

17
Q

what is the special rule on fed sop for non-resident motorists (claims arising out of in state accidents)

A

generally service can be made on a state official who forwards copy to the out of state defendant

this is a state law issue, not federal

18
Q

what kind of effort must be made for an in rem/quasi action before resorting to service by publication

A

one must make a diligent effort to locate all claimants to the property (res) and serve them personally. if claimants cannot be located, then notice by publication is permitted

19
Q

what happens if you know or can readily find the names and addresses of the other claimants in an in rem/quasi action

A

you cannot rely on notice by publication and they must be served personally