Resources
Glossary
The words you'll see on a case, explained in plain language.
- Affidavit of service
- A sworn statement by the person who served a document, setting out when, where, how, and on whom it was served.
- Alternative to personal service
- A method the rules allow instead of handing a document to the person, such as leaving it with an adult at their home and also mailing it.
- Bailiff (huissier de justice)
- In Quebec, an officer of justice who generally serves originating applications and other court documents.
- Central Authority
- The office each Hague Service Convention country designates to receive requests for service from abroad. Canada has one for each province and territory.
- Certificate of service
- The form a Central Authority completes to confirm service under the Hague Service Convention.
- Declaration of diligence
- A statement listing every attempt made to serve a party who could not be served. It is used to support a request for substituted service.
- Delivery speed
- How quickly the first attempt is made: Rush, Priority, or Standard.
- First attempt due
- The latest time the first service attempt should happen for the delivery speed you chose.
- Originating process
- The document that starts a proceeding, such as a statement of claim, notice of civil claim, or application.
- Party
- A person or organization involved in a legal proceeding. In service, the party is the person or business being served.
- Personal service
- Handing the document to the person being served, or to someone the rules allow on behalf of a corporation.
- Process server
- A person who delivers court documents and records how they did it.
- Proof of service
- Evidence that a document was served, usually an affidavit of service.
- Serve and file
- A CanServe order where we serve the document and then file the proof of service with the court.
- Skip trace / address investigation
- Research to find a party's current address before or during service.
- Substituted service
- A court-ordered method of service used when normal methods aren't practical, such as when a party avoids service.
- Tracking number
- The CS- number on every CanServe order, used to follow its status.
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