The Society of Messengers-at-Arms & Sheriff Officers have been designated as a forwarding authority under the Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (Hague Convention)
The below firms have indicated a willingness to accept requests for service to be forwarded to oversees authorities for service. All request for service must comply with the terms of the convention and be sent ready for transmission. Two copies of documents to be served with translation, where required and the completed Model Form in duplicate should be forwarded for transmission. The Model Form can be found HERE on the HCCH website.
Messengers-at-Arms & Sheriff Officer are for these cases only the forwarding authority, service will be effected in country by the appropriate, judicial officer. As such Messengers-at-Arms & Sheriff Officers have no control over the time taken for request for service to be fulfilled. It should be noted that it can take several months for service to be achieved. Requesters may wish to consult the appropriate countries entry with the Authorities section on the HCCH website to establish indicative time frames for document to be served.
In addition to the fee charged by Messengers-at-Arms & Sheriff Officers for acting as forwarding authority, fees may have charged by the receiving authority for service, this will vary by country.
Requesters should also note, overseas judicial offices generally will not sign or date, any Scottish documents (citations, notice to defend etc.) Requester therefore should satisfy themselves that documentation sent for service has been completed ready for service.
Requests for service within Scotland of documents in civil and commercial matters should be made directly to Messengers-at-Arms & Sheriff Officers. The below listed firms have indicated a willingness to accept service, within the areas indicated. To assist requesters in locating an appropriate firm, post code areas (zip codes) have been listed.
Service under the convention will attract fees, which must be paid in advance, in accordance with Article 12 of the Convention.
Firms willing to accept requests as forwarding authority