Monaco Process Server

Overview

Process Server in Monaco: How Service of Process Works

Monaco acceded to the Hague Service Convention on March 1, 2007, with entry into force on November 1, 2007. Documents submitted to Monaco's Central Authority must be written in French, Monaco's official language, or translated into it. Once a request is received, the Central Authority forwards it to a local court or other authorized method for execution, then issues a certificate of service to the requesting judicial officer.

Who serves process

Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Monaco

Monaco is a civil-law country. The Central Authority is the Direction des Services Judiciaires, which passes requests to the Public Prosecutor General, who instructs a huissier de justice (bailiff) to serve them. Service by a huissier incurs fees.

Monaco objects to postal service under Article 10(a), but not to direct service through Monegasque judicial officers under 10(b) and (c). Documents should be in French or translated into French.

The documents most often bound for Monaco and the rest of Monaco are an assignation (writ of summons) or a requête (application), plus orders, subpoenas and other court notices. We serve in Monaco, across Monaco-Ville and out to Fontvieille.

Treaties

Hague Service Convention and Monaco

Monaco is a party to the Hague Service Convention, so documents can be sent to its Central Authority, which arranges service and returns a Certificate of Service. On Article 10: Monaco objects to postal service, but direct service through a Monegasque huissier de justice is allowed.

Monaco is also a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so witness testimony and documents can be requested with a Letter of Request.