Florida Statutes 48.197 – Service in a foreign country
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(1) Service of process may be effectuated in a foreign country upon a party, other than a minor or an incompetent person, as provided in any of the following:
(a) By any internationally agreed-upon means of service reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the proceedings, such as those authorized by the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters.
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 48.197
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- minor: includes any person who has not attained the age of 18 years. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
(b) If there is no internationally agreed-upon means of service, or if an international agreement allows but does not specify other means, by a method reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the proceedings:
1. As prescribed by the foreign country’s law for service in that country in an action in its courts of general jurisdiction;
2. As the foreign authority directs in response to a letter rogatory or letter of request; or
3. Unless prohibited by the foreign country’s law, by:
a. If serving an individual, delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the individual personally; or
b. Using any form of mail that the clerk addresses and sends to the party and which requires a signed receipt.
(c) Pursuant to motion and order by the court, by other means, including electronically by e-mail or other technology, which the party seeking service shows is reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the proceedings and is not prohibited by international agreement, as the court orders.
(2) Service of process may be effectuated in a foreign country upon a minor or an incompetent person in the manner prescribed by subparagraph (1)(b)1., subparagraph (1)(b)2., or paragraph (1)(c).