Electronic service of process system and method for carrying out service of court papers

• US 20070112584A1
• Filed: 01/08/2007
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis Caplan, Lydia Caplan
• Original Assignee: Allen Rosenthal, Dorothy Caplan
• Inventors: Rosenthal, Allen, Caplan, Dorothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,664,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A system and method for online creation and integration of service of process functions is provided, for use in conjunction with paper or electronic filing of court papers. By logging on to a web page, the user can access a rules and decision matrix database providing the rules and requirements for process service by jurisdiction and type. Such rules can be incorporated into process requests using online tools and document management software. Once entered, the requests are compiled in a database, and a system controller coordinates with affiliated process servers to procure process service in the desired jurisdiction.

Claims

1-45. -45. (canceled)

46. A system for carrying out service of court documents, comprising:

a network for receiving user data and accessing one or more documents, the network being accessible through one or more terminals accepting entry of the user data for a process request; and

a system controller operably connected to the network, the system controller configured to receive the user data and the documents over the network, and select a process server for carrying out service of the documents based on the user data included in the process request, wherein the system controller is configured to automatically select the process server based on the user data.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the user data includes at least a service jurisdiction and an entity being served.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the one or more documents are stored in a database accessible over the network.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein the one or more documents are obtained from a third party system.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the third party system is an electronic filing system.

51. The system of claim 46, wherein the service of the documents is carried out by the selected process server.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the selected process server transmits information to the system controller upon completion of the service of the documents.

53. The system of claim 46, wherein the service of the documents is carried out electronically.

54. The system of claim 46, wherein the selected process server is an email service provider.

55. The system of claim 46, wherein the service of the documents is carried out in a manner specified in the user data.

56. The system of claim 46, wherein the system controller is configured to forward status notifications to one or more users.

57. A system for carrying out service of court documents, comprising:

a network for receiving user data and accessing one or more documents, the network being accessible through one or more terminals accepting entry of the user data for a process request; and

a system controller operably connected to the network, the system controller configured to receive the user data and the documents over the network, and select a service method for carrying out service of the documents based on the user data included in the process request, wherein the system controller is configured to automatically select the service method based on the user data.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the user data includes at least a service jurisdiction and an entity being served.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the selected service method is electronic service.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the electronic service is carried out by email.

61. The system of claim 57, wherein the selected service method is at least one of hand delivery, mail delivery, and facsimile.

62. The system of claim 57, wherein upon completion of the service of the documents, the system controller generates a return of service document.

63. The system of claim 57, wherein upon completion of the service of the documents, an automatic notification is sent to one or more users.

64. The system of claim 57, wherein the one or more documents are e-filed.

65. A method for carrying out service of court documents, comprising the steps of:

preparing a process request;

providing a network for receiving user data for the process request, the network being accessible through one or more terminals accepting entry of the user data;

receiving the user data in a system controller, the system controller being operably connected to the network; and

selecting a service method for carrying out service of the documents based on the user data in the process request, wherein the system controller is configured to automatically select the service method based on the user data.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising the step of:

providing a database for storing the one or more documents to be served, the database being accessible over the network

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the one or more documents are obtained from an electronic filing system.

68. The method of claim 65, further comprising the steps of:

generating a return of service document upon completion of the service of the documents; and

forwarding the return of service document to one or more users.

69. The method of claim 65, wherein the service of the documents is carried out electronically.

70. The method of claim 65, wherein the selected process server is an email service provider.

71. The method of claim 65, wherein the service of the documents is carried out in a manner specified in the user data.