To serve a document is to ensure that the recipient receives it. Service can be personal, where the papers are handed to the recipient in person, or postal. Papers can be served by one solicitor on another by DX (for DX see 15th June). Most firms of solicitors do not accept service by email.

Sometimes service of a document is significant under the court rules. For example, a divorce petition can be withdrawn by the petitioner, but only if it has not yet been served on the respondent.