Form N224 UK: Serve Court Papers Abroad (Guide)

What this document is

Form N224 is a court form used to ask the court to arrange for the formal service of legal documents on a person, business, or other party located outside England and Wales. Rather than the claimant serving the papers directly, the court forwards them through diplomatic or official channels to the country where the recipient is based.

It is typically used in civil proceedings where the Civil Procedure Rules allow or require service to be effected through the Senior Master of the Queen's Bench Division (now the King's Bench Division) or via Foreign Process Section channels. The form captures the information the Foreign Process Section needs to identify the recipient, choose the right method of service, and, where relevant, liaise with the authorities in the destination country.

Common examples include claim forms, orders, applications, and judgments that must reach a defendant living abroad, a company registered overseas, or a foreign state. The method available depends on whether the country is a signatory to the Hague Service Convention, has a bilateral arrangement with the UK, or requires service through consular or diplomatic channels.

How to use this document

1. Confirm that court-assisted service is the right route. Before completing Form N224, check whether the Civil Procedure Rules permit service out of the jurisdiction in your case and whether you need the court's permission. Some claims can be served abroad without permission, while others require a separate application. The right method of service depends on the country involved and any applicable treaty. 2. Gather the details of the party to be served. You will need the full name of the person or organisation, a complete postal address, and the country where service is to take place. Accurate details matter because errors can cause long delays or result in documents being returned. If the recipient is a company, include its registered trading name and any known reference such as a company number. 3. Decide on the method of service. The form asks you to indicate whether service should be arranged through a British consular authority, the government of the destination country, or an authority designated under the Hague Service Convention. Each route has different timescales and requirements, so consider which option is available and most appropriate for the country in question. 4. Complete the required declarations. You will need to confirm whether the party being served is a United Kingdom national and whether the party is a State for the purposes of the State Immunity Act 1978. These declarations affect how the court and Foreign Process Section handle the request and whether additional formalities apply. 5. Submit the form and accept responsibility for costs. Sign the undertaking to cover any expenses arising from the service abroad, then file the completed form with the court alongside the documents to be served and any required translations. Check gov.uk for the current fee and any supporting paperwork needed, and retain copies for your records.

Common questions