Terms Used In 22 Guam Code Ann. § 15205

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
(a) The transacting of business in this territory by a foreign or alien insurer without a certificate of authority and the issuance or delivery by such foreign or alien insurer of a policy or contract of insurance to a citizen of this territory or to a resident thereof, or to a corporation authorized to do business therein, is

22 Guam Code Ann. BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CH. 15 BUSINESS OF INSURANCE

equivalent to an appointment by such insurer to the Commissioner and his successor or successors in office, to be its true and lawful attorney, upon whom may be served all lawful process in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of such policy or contract of insurance, and the said issuance or delivery is a signification of its agreement that any such service or process is of the same legal force and validity as personal service of process in this territory upon it.

(b) Such service of process shall be made by delivering and leaving with the Commissioner or to some person in apparent charge of his office two (2) copies thereof and the payment to him of such fees as may be prescribed by law. The Commissioner shall forthwith mail by registered mail one (1) of the copies of such process to the defendant at his last known principal place of business and shall keep a record of all processes so served upon him. Such service of process is sufficient, provided notice of such service and a copy of the process are sent within ten (10) days thereafter by registered mail by plaintiff=s attorney to the defendant at his last known principal place of business, and the defendant=s receipt, or receipt issued by the post office with which the letter is registered, showing the name of the sender of the letter and the name and address of the person to whom the letter is addressed, and the affidavit of the plaintiff=s attorney showing a compliance herewith, are filed with the clerk of the court in which such action is pending on or before the date the defendant is required to appear, or within such further time as the court may allow. However, no plaintiff or complainant shall be entitled to a judgment by default, or a judgment with leave to prove damages, or a judgment pro confesso under this section until the expiration of thirty (30) days from date of the filing of the affidavit of compliance.

(c) Service of process in any such action, suit or proceedings shall, in addition to the manner provided in subsection (b) of this section, be valid if served upon any person within this territory who, in this territory, on behalf of such insurer, is (1) soliciting insurance, or (2) making any contract of insurance or issuing or delivering any policies or written

22 Guam Code Ann. BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CH. 15 BUSINESS OF INSURANCE

contracts of insurance, or (3) collecting or receiving any premium for insurance; and a copy of such process is sent within ten (10) days thereafter by registered mail by the plaintiff=s attorney to the defendant at the last known principal place of business of the defendant, and the defendant=s receipt, or the receipt issued by the post office with which the letter is registered, showing the name of the sender of the letter and the name and address of the person to whom the letter is addressed, and the affidavit of the plaintiff=s attorney showing a compliance herewith, are filed with the clerk of the court in which such action is pending on or before the date the defendant is required to appear, or with such further time as the court may allow.

(d) Nothing in this section contained shall limit or abridge the right to serve any process, notice or demand upon any insurer in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.

SOURCE: GC § 43129.