By Raphaël MORENON
10 April 2025
Receiving a legal document, such as a summons to appear in court or the service of a judgement, is a step that is often fraught with anxiety. Similarly, when you initiate proceedings, it is absolutely essential to ensure that your opponent has been officially informed. This is where the concept of 'notification' comes in. Much more than simply sending a letter, notification is the formal act by which a legal document is brought to the attention of its addressee. It is of vital importance: it often triggers the time limits for taking action or responding, it constitutes proof that the information has been given and it guarantees respect for the adversarial process - the fundamental principle that each party must be able to know the arguments and documents of the other in order to defend himself. The Code of Civil Procedure provides a strict framework for the different ways in which a document may be served. Understanding these rules means ensuring that the procedure is carried out correctly.
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