5 Ways to Be More Discrete While Serving Papers in a Professional Setting

• December 06, 2010
• by ServeNow.com Staff

Serving process is difficult enough at times, but when a process server must conduct business in a professional setting the complexity increases. While professionalism, courtesy, patience, and respect are required for all serves, it is perhaps more critical in professional settings because of the nature of the environment. Therefore, discretion must be of the utmost concern for the server in such situations.

Regardless of the nature of the documents to be served, there are a number of steps to increase discretion of which process servers must be aware.

Dress Appropriately

If you must serve papers at a business, it would be prudent to dress appropriately. A good first impression goes a long way.

Think Ahead

If you foresee any difficulty in a potential serve situation, it is imperative to analyze the situation in order to determine the best one-time method for serving the papers because you may not get a second chance, particularly if the individual to be served is famous or high-profile.

Keep It Simple

While at the location, do not volunteer more information than is necessary in order to safeguard the privacy of the individual to be served. This is particularly true if he or she is one of the higher-ups in the company or a service provider such as a doctor with patients in the waiting room. Do not identify yourself outright as a process server unless you are badgered with questions regarding whether you have an appointment or what the nature of the visit is. In most cases a simple, “I have legal documents for so-and-so” is enough. However, if the individual is being difficult by attempting to evade service, I have been known to volunteer a little more information in order to secure compliance.

Know the Law

Sometimes it is necessary to transcend tact and professionalism when a receptionist or security guard will not let you into the premises to effect service. Providing the applicable statute and informing them that state law trumps office policies helps in most cases. However, similar to #3 above, there are times where tact and professionalism must be compromised somewhat in order to get the job done.

Direct Contact

If it is difficult to gain entry to a person’s residence or place of business, then sometimes calling him or her and explaining that you are a process server with papers for them, do not wish to cause them any embarrassment, will be at their office/residence in a while, and that you will ensure discretion when serving the papers if he or she cooperates will prove successful in most cases. If not, it is acceptable to inform the individual that you are authorized to conduct stakeouts at both his or her home and office to effect service and, in some cases, they could be financially liable for the additional costs.

At any rate, discretion is a must for process servers generally. There are situations which require transcending appropriate tact to get the job done. Fundamentally, however, be cognizant of the situation, familiar with the papers, and professional and courteous will go a long way to ensuring a successful serve.

Natalie Faulk is a staff writer for ServeNow.com – a trusted network of local, pre-screened process servers.

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