Professional Private Investigation & Enquiry Agents 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Questions and Answers about Process Service 

If you have a question that we haven't answered here, or you would simply like to talk with one of the team, please visit our Contact Us page for all the ways you can get in touch. 

How quickly can DPM Facts serve court papers? 

At DPM Facts Ltd, we understand that legal matters are often time-sensitive. In many cases, we can arrange same-day or urgent process serving, depending on the location and circumstances. 
 
Our experienced process servers work quickly and professionally to ensure legal documents are served as efficiently as possible. If your matter is urgent, contact us directly and we will confirm availability, timescales and fees before proceeding. 
 
 

Do you provide nationwide process serving? 

Yes. DPM Facts Ltd provides a reliable nationwide process serving service across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, covering cities, towns and rural areas. 
 
We can also assist with international process serving through trusted colleagues where required. 
 
 

What types of legal documents can you serve? 

We serve a wide range of legal documents for solicitors, businesses and private individuals, including: 
Court orders, including non-molestation orders, restraining orders, occupations orders, and residence and contact orders. 
Family court proceedings, such as child maintenance, residence and contact orders. 
Injunctions for domestic violence, assault and trespass, harassment, landlord, tenant and property related injunctions. 
Petitions, such as bankruptcy, winding up petitions and statutory demands, and divorce petitions. 
Summons, such as writs, court orders, N39 orders to attend court for questioning and we take Section 9 witness statements. 
If you are unsure whether your documents require personal service, our team will be happy to advise. 

How much does process serving cost? 

We offer transparent, fixed-fee process serving wherever possible, with both standard and priority service options available. 
Fees can vary depending on factors such as urgency, travel distance, multiple addresses or evasive respondents. We will always confirm costs clearly before any instruction is accepted. 

How many attempts will you make to serve the documents? 

At DPM Facts Ltd, we take a proactive and methodical approach to every instruction. Attempts are usually made at varying times of day, including early mornings, evenings and weekends where appropriate. 
This flexible approach significantly improves the likelihood of successful service, particularly where an individual may be difficult to contact or deliberately evasive. 

What happens if the papers cannot be served? 

While serving legal papers can sometimes be difficult, for example where an individual may have moved address or may attempt to avoid service, Civil Procedure Rules can be applied to make a service possible that is acceptable to the courts. 

What if someone is deliberately avoiding service? 

Evasive respondents are something our experienced process servers deal with regularly. 
As part of our investigations-led approach, we may: 
Attend at different times and days 
Verify occupancy where appropriate 
Make discreet local enquiries 
Use additional tracing intelligence if required 
Our background in investigations allows us to approach difficult serves professionally, lawfully and effectively. 

Can you serve papers at a workplace or alternative address? 

Yes. Legal documents can often be served at any location where the individual is reasonably believed to be present, including a work address or even a hospital ward. 
Even if you only have an old address or limited information, DPM Facts may still be able to assist through tracing and investigation enquiries. 
 
 

Can someone refuse to accept court papers? 

No. A person cannot avoid legal service simply by refusing to physically accept the documents. 
Provided the individual has been correctly identified and made aware of the nature of the documents being served, service may still be considered valid under the relevant legal rules. 

Do you serve documents outside normal office hours? 

Yes. To maximise the likelihood of successful service, our process servers regularly attend addresses outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends where necessary. 
 
 

What proof of service will I receive? 

Once service has been completed, we will provide legally recognised proof of service suitable for court proceedings. Depending on your requirements, this may include: 
Certificate of Service 
Statement of Service 
Witness Statement 
Affidavit of Service 
All documentation is prepared professionally and promptly. 

Do you comply with Civil Procedure Rules? 

Yes. All process serving instructions are carried out in accordance with the relevant legislation and procedural requirements, including the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and Insolvency Rules where applicable. 
Correct service is essential. Errors can lead to delays, additional costs or legal challenges, which is why professional process serving is important. 

Can you help trace someone before serving documents? 

Yes. DPM Facts Ltd also provides a trace before serve investigation service to help locate individuals who may have moved address or are deliberately difficult to find. 
This can be particularly useful in debt recovery matters, family proceedings and insolvency cases. 
 

Why use a private process server instead of a court bailiff? 

Using a professional process server is often significantly faster and more flexible than relying on court bailiffs. 
Court bailiff appointments can sometimes take several weeks, whereas DPM Facts can often attempt service within 24 to 48 hours. We also attend outside normal working hours and make multiple attempts where necessary. 
In cases involving evasive respondents, we can also combine process serving with tracing and investigative support. 

How long does the process serving process take? 

Timescales vary depending on the urgency of the instruction, the respondent’s availability and the location involved. 
Where possible, we begin work immediately upon instruction and keep clients updated throughout the process. 
 

Will my instruction remain confidential? 

Absolutely. Confidentiality, discretion and professionalism are at the heart of our work. 
 
Many of our instructions involve sensitive legal matters, and all enquiries are handled with the utmost care and professionalism. 
 

What information do you need to start the process? 

To instruct DPM Facts, we will usually require: 
The documents to be served 
The full name of the respondent or company 
The address or possible addresses 
Any supporting information that may assist with service 
The more accurate information provided, the greater the likelihood of successful service. 

How do I instruct DPM Facts Ltd? 

Instructing DPM Facts is straightforward. Simply contact our team by telephone, email or the Contact Us form with your requirements, and we will guide you through the process quickly and professionally. 
We will confirm fees, discuss timescales and begin work as soon as your instruction is received. 

What updates will I receive during the process? 

We believe clear communication is essential. Throughout the instruction, we provide: 
Confirmation of instruction 
Updates on attendance attempts 
Notification of successful or unsuccessful service 
Copies of all relevant documentation 
Our clients are kept informed at every stage of the process. 
To discuss your process service requirements in complete confidence please call us today +44 (0) 1474 833005 or email info@DPMfacts.com.