Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 September 2025
Chapter 3 examines the evolving landscape of smart service of process, emphasizing the integration of modern information and communication technologies to enhance procedural justice. The chapter highlights the fundamental purpose of service of process – providing notice to defendants – and explores the prerequisites and challenges associated with electronic service (e-service), such as the need for recipient consent and the impracticability of traditional methods. It delves into various electronic channels used for service, including email, social media and secure e-court platforms, and outlines the requirements for effective e-service, such as identification, reliability, security, confirmation and confidentiality. The chapter also discusses the potential of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain to further optimize the service of process by improving accuracy, security and efficiency. It argues for a more flexible, standard-based approach to e-service, suggesting that it can provide an equivalent or even superior level of procedural protection compared to traditional methods, and advocates for the broader adoption of e-service without restrictive prerequisites.
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