Process Service during the coronavirus (Covid-19)
Part of the due process of law regularly requires the delivery of legal notices, Court Orders and other time sensitive documents, some with potentially serious consequences if not adhered to. Under lockdown, the majority of these documents relate to matters of family law, domestic violence and non-molestation orders.
The delivery of these documents falls to organisations like DPM Facts Ltd which has been a respected process server for 19 years.
As a long-term member of the Association of British Investigators (ABI) we follow their guidance on continuing to process serve legally and safely to help maintain the flow of justice in the UK
Therefore we continue to offer a process service during the coronavirus under specific conditions which protect the health and welfare of all parties concerned.
Our process servers adhere to social distancing rules and follow set procedures for serving papers and do not work if they have any symptoms, or any members of their household are self-isolating.
Q&As
Is the Process Serve still legal if you can’t hand over papers face-to-face?
Yes. Advice from the ABI and the legal profession is that the following process is acceptable and legal in these difficult times:
When we arrive at a property and knock on the door, we ask for the person by name through the door. We can verify further details in this way.
When we have established we are dealing with the correct person, we explain that we have documents for them which we will leave on their doorstep or letterbox and move back so they can collect them. At this point they can open the door safely and pick up the documents while we witness them doing so.
What happens if the person refuses to open their door or pick up the papers from the doorstep?
If they refuse to pick them up or are worried about social distancing, we inform them that we are going to post the information through their letterbox and then post it through. In both examples the exchange is written up and signed by the process server. Based on the contact, the establishing of identity and the verbal exchange it is deemed to be a legal process serve.
More about our Process Service
DPM Facts Ltd are highly experienced process servers covering the South of the country including Kent, Sussex, Essex and South London from our two main offices in North and East Kent. We also have an extensive network of specialist and reliable agents operating throughout the rest of the UK and overseas.
With over 20 years tracing and serving experience, a meticulous approach and a full working knowledge of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) rules and procedures, we offer a thorough end-to-end service. We can collect court briefs and serve a variety of notices from writs, injunctions and court orders to divorce or family proceedings, statutory demands and bankruptcy petitions.
We will then prepare the necessary statements of service and/or Affidavits in a court-admissible format, ensuring the law and rules of service are fully observed. We are discreet, professional and extremely experienced, including difficult to serve or evasive cases.
We can assist with urgent and out of hours notices and from the first conversation to the conclusion of the case we will communicate regularly and efficiently with you to guarantee you are kept up to date with developments at all times.
To discuss your process service requirements in complete confidence please call us today +44 (0) 1474 833005 or email info@DPMfacts.com.
We serve on behalf of:
Government Departments
Local Authorities
Housing Associations
Solicitors
Businesses including debt collections agencies
Charities and other not-for-profit organisations
Private Clients including landlords,
The range of notices we serve:
Court Orders, such as non-molestation orders, restraining orders, occupations orders, and residence and contact orders.
Family Court Proceedings, such as child maintenance, residence and contact orders
Injunctions, such as domestic violence injunctions, 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.
How we work:
We work quickly to ensure that documents are served and proof of service given to the client in good time for their hearing, including with urgent and out of hours instructions.
If required, we can ensure that all documentation is professionally screened to identify any errors, gaps in the evidence or omissions such as incomplete forms. Where evidence is missing for whatever reason, we are well placed to deliver additional investigative services, intelligence gathering, surveillance and/or research as required. We will check all documents are data protection and human rights compliant.
Where the client is unsure about a person’s location, we are experts in tracing individuals and can make lawful and legitimate discreet enquiries into the whereabouts of individuals before court proceedings begin.
Where we work:
DPM Facts is a Kent based Process Server covering Kent, Sussex, Essex and South London from its two main offices in North and East Kent. We also have an extensive network of experienced and reliable Process Servers operating throughout the UK and overseas.
Proof of service:
In every case, we will supply proof of service which is an accurate reflection of all the facts of the case, ensuring that the rules of service are fully observed. Our documentation with sworn Affidavits will be provided in a court-admissible format and in a layout that can be readable when bound together with other documents in the court bundle.
From the first conversation to the delivery of your legal documents we will keep you regularly updated with developments at all times.
Difficult cases:
We pride ourselves on our professional approach and are highly experienced in difficult to serve or evasive cases. With years of law enforcement experience, we recognise potentially volatile and risky situations and are often able to defuse them. We are sensitive to cultural diversity and operate within the Human Rights Act. We understand the legal and health and safety considerations and are able to undertake a dynamic risk assessment to ensure that documents are served in an efficient and safe manner.
Why choose us?
Using inexperienced process servers or where individuals attempt to serve papers themselves can result in evidence being contaminated and inadmissible, not to mention putting themselves at risk.
Our experienced, certified private investigators are members of the Institute of Professional Investigators, Association of British Investigators and British Agents, while our founder and CEO has a 30-year meritorious career in the Metropolitan Police, as well as 18 years of commercial experience.
We work within the spirit of all UK legislation, and adhere to The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2001. We also work within the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000. We are authorised and registered by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and compliant with the Data Protection Act 2018. (ICO Registration Z7478130 since 17 January 2003).
Our Fees:
Our prices are negotiable depending on the volume and complexity of the work. A standard Process Serve is charged from £105.00 + VAT, collection from courts from £30.00 + VAT, and large volume of documents requiring printing are charged at 10 pence per page + VAT.
To discuss your process service requirements in complete confidence please call us today +44 (0) 1474 833005 or email info@DPMfacts.com.