- What is Process Service?
- Why do I need a Process Server?
- What should I look for in a Process Server?
- What is Document Retrieval?
- What exactly do you mean by Legal Support?
- What are legal specific Web Services?
What is Process Service?
In a court of law, each party in a case needs to be given legal notice when they are required to respond to an action being taken against them. When parties are notified of a specific court action by the delivering of legal documents, it is known as Service of Process or Process Service.
Common court documents that are served upon parties in a case would be various types of summons, subpoenas, complaints, orders, writs, etc.
Each jurisdiction may have it’s own rules on Process Service and, quite often, these rules will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Service of Process is meant to establish the courts jurisdiction over the person being served. If the person served chooses to ignore the proceedings, then the court may find the defendant in default and award the case to the plaintiff/petitioner. There are other manners of service, such as substitute service, service via certified mail, and service via publication. Again, though, these may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. A good Process Server should know the rules of the areas in which they cover.
Why do I need a Process Server?
In most cases, a process server acts as an extension of your firm which means they should have your best interest in mind. A process server will help to move your case forward in a matter and speed that can’t be matched by other means of service.
What should I look for in a Process Server?
A professional process server should be able to do many things to help you and your firm. There is a huge difference between a professional process server and someone who simply serves papers. And this difference is something to be aware of.
Be sure to hire a process server who represents your firm well, as they are acting as an extension of your firm and represent you in the field. Make sure they know the rules of Civil Process in North Carolina (or whatever state you are located in) because they should be able to lend advise and personal opinion on how to best move forward with service of your documents. Above all, you should seek out a process server you trust and that you can build a relationship with.
What is Document Retrieval?
Document Retrieval is the process of retrieving information as quickly and efficiently as possible. Where as Court Research is more in depth and open-ended, a common Document Retrieval request would be, “I need a copy of a certified judgment in this case and this county and I need it as soon as possible”. Copies of whole court cases, specific filings, archives, plats, deeds and titles are some of the most common documents that we retrieve.
What exactly do you mean by Legal Support?
At the Black Dog Agency, we consider our team to be full service Legal Support specialists. What this means is that our agents are not just Process Servers, not just Court Researchers, but that we have the ability to work with your firm on a case by case basis and tailor our services specifically for you.
Some small law firms may never need our agents to spend hours researching documents at court facilities or law libraries. Most large law firms have at least one in-house courier and would never think to use our agents to deliver legal documents down the street. As a full service Legal Support company though, we have the ability to do all these things if it is what your firm needs.
Our legal services range from Process Service, Case Research, Document Retrieval, and Filing Services to Legal Office Moves, Trial/Exhibit Transport, and Photographic & Real Estate Services.
What are legal specific Web Services?
One of the biggest hurdles to successful web design is reaching your target audience. After all, reaching current and potential customers is your ultimate goal. But to do this, you have to be crystal clear to a designer on what your customers are looking for and the designer has to be able to interpret your interpretation. Not so easy.
What if you found a design team that already worked in your industry and had a deep understanding of how your firm works and what your customers are looking for? That would provide you a huge advantage in meeting your goals. That is exactly what the design team at Black Dog Agency provides.
From large law sites with regular content updates to small firms looking for an online business card, we understand both your wants and needs. We also provide brand consulting, design and optimization services to law firms of all sizes.
