Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954

24Service of documents.N.I.

(1)Where an enactment authorises or requires a document to be served by post, whether the word “serve” or any of the words “give”, “deliver” or “send” or any other word is used, the service of the document may be effected by prepaying, registeringF1 and posting an envelope addressed to the person on whom the document is to be served at his usual or last known place of abode or business and containing such document; and, unless the contrary is proved, the document shall be deemed to have been served at the time at which such envelope would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.

(2)Where an enactment authorises or requires a document to be served on any person without directing it to be served in a particular manner the service of that document may be effected either—

(a)by personal service; or

(b)by post in accordance with sub-section (1); or

(c)by leaving it for him with some person apparently over the age of sixteen at his usual or last known place of abode or business; or

(d)in the case of a corporate body or of any association of persons (whether incorporated or not), by delivering it to the secretary or clerk of the body or association at the registered or principal office of the body or association or serving it by post on such secretary or clerk at such office; or

(e)if it is not practicable after reasonable enquiry to ascertain the name or address of an owner, lessee, or occupier of premises on whom the document should be served, by addressing the document to him by the description of “owner” or “lessee” or “occupier” of the premises (naming them) to which the document relates, and by delivering it to some person on the premises or, if there is no person on the premises to whom it can be delivered, by affixing it, or a copy of it, to some conspicuous part of the premises.

F1Recorded delivery service may be used as an alternative, 1963 c. 5 (NI)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 24 applied (with modifications) by Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1320 (N.I. 10)), art. 5(1A) (as inserted (27.6.2007) by Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/916 (N.I. 10)), arts. 1(3), 28); S.R. 2007/302, art. 2, Sch.

C2S. 24 excluded (10.6.2006) by Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11)), art. 112E(2) (as inserted by Planning Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1252 (N.I. 7)), arts. 1(4), 21(1))

C3S. 24 modified by 1988 NI 3

S. 24 modified (1.6.2006) by Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1254 (N.I. 9)), arts. 1(2), 2(3) (with arts. 49, 62)

C4S. 24 modified by Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (S.I. 1983/764 (N.I. 8)), art. 30A(8) (as inserted (3.10.2011) by Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 9), ss. 8, 18(1); S.R. 2011/332, art. 2, Sch.)

C5S. 24 applied with modifications (7.6.2012) by The Penalty Notices (Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011) (Enforcement of Fines) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/188), regs. 1, 11; S.R. 2012/214, art. 2(m)

C6S. 24 applied (1.3.2014) by The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1506), regs. 2(4), 29(2) (with reg. 3(4)(5)31)

C7S. 24 applied (12.12.2014) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), s. 7, Sch. 1 para. 12 (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3))

C8S. 24 excluded (13.2.2015 for specified purposes, 1.4.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Planning Act (Northern-Ireland) 2011 (c. 25), ss. 218(2), 254(1), (2) (with s. 211); S.R. 2015/49, arts. 2, 3, Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2)