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Civil procedure

serving defendant with lawsuit

The defendant in a lawsuit must be served (delivered) a summons or citation (an order from the court to appear and answer the lawsuit) and a copy of the lawsuit (1) to provide due process (fairness) by giving the defendant notice of the lawsuit and the opportunity to appear in court and defend the lawsuit; and (2) to give the court personal jurisdiction (authority) over the defendant.

In Pennsylvania, the process of serving a defendant with a summons or citation, along with a copy of the lawsuit, is a critical step in the legal process. This procedure ensures due process by officially notifying the defendant of the legal action against them and granting them the opportunity to appear in court to defend themselves. Additionally, service of process is necessary for the court to establish personal jurisdiction over the defendant, which is the court's authority to make decisions regarding the individual. Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure outline specific methods of service, such as personal service, service by mail, or service by the sheriff or a professional process server. The rules also dictate the timeframe within which service must be completed and what constitutes proper service. Failure to properly serve a defendant can result in delays or dismissal of the lawsuit.

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Civil procedure

serving defendant with lawsuit

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Pennsylvania State Code

Pennsylvania State Code

Civil procedure

serving defendant with lawsuit

Articles