Service of process (official notification)

Service is the notification of judicial and administrative acts to those concerned in the manner prescribed by statute. Statements of claim, hearing dates, judgments and payment orders are all served, and objection and appeal periods as a rule start running upon service.

Notification is made at the addressee's known address; where the person is not found, the statute provides graduated procedures such as leaving the documents with the neighbourhood head and affixing a notice to the door. The residence address in the national registry is treated as the known address. Electronic service is mandatory for companies, lawyers and public bodies and operates through the national electronic service system.

Irregular service takes effect from the date the addressee actually learns of it, though proving that date is often difficult. Failure to notify address changes is the most common reason proceedings become final against people without their knowledge.