County Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1981

Service in special circumstances

9.—(1) Where the judge or chief clerk on the application of a solicitor is satisfied of the existence or imminence of such special circumstances as would render impracticable the service of any civil bill in accordance with the foregoing Rules of this Order, he may direct or authorise such service—

(a) to be effected by means of the recorded delivery service; or

(b) to be effected in such other manner and by such person and to be proved in such manner as he may direct.

(2) Where it would be impracticable to make such an application as is provided for in paragraph (1) the solicitor for the plaintiff or a partner or apprentice of his may himself serve the civil bill as if he were a duly appointed process server. A solicitor who serves a civil bill or causes a civil bill to be served as aforesaid shall forthwith make and shall file in the Office not later than entry day an affidavit setting forth all relevant facts; and it shall be in the discretion of the judge to direct that such service be deemed good service.