1. What Is Served on Defendant?
The Complaint
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Packet
The Civil Case Cover Sheet
The Summons

2. Important Summons Provisions
Name of Court
Name of Parties
Notice of the capacity in which Defendant is sued
Timing of Response
Warning for Noncompliance

3. Who May Serve a Summons?
Non-party
18 years old or over

4. Who Is Served? The individual Defendant
The expressly designated agent for process
Minors: their parents
Prisoners: their jailer/warden
Domestic companies: if no registered agent, “substituted service”
Foreign companies: general manager in California
State public entities: Attorney General

5. Methods of Service Personal service/substituted service Mail service
Service by publication
Hague Convention service