(a) If service is to be effected upon a party in a foreign country, service of the summons and complaint may be made:

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 20-2-113

  • 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.
  • Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • 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.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • signed: includes a mark, the name being written near the mark and witnessed, or any other symbol or methodology executed or adopted by a party with intention to authenticate a writing or record, regardless of being witnessed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
(1) In the manner prescribed by the law of the foreign country for service in that country in an action in any of its courts of general jurisdiction;
(2) As directed by the foreign authority in response to a letter rogatory, when service in either case is reasonably calculated to give actual notice;
(3) Upon an individual, by delivery to the individual personally; and upon a corporation, partnership or association, by delivery to an officer or a managing or general agent;
(4) By any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the clerk of the court to the party to be served; or
(5) As directed by order of the court.
(b) Service under subdivision (a)(3) or (a)(5) may be made by any person who is not a party and is not less than twenty-one (21) years of age, anyone duly authorized to serve summons by the law of the country where service is to be made or anyone designated by order of the court or the foreign court. On request, the clerk shall deliver the summons to the plaintiff for transmission to the person or the foreign court or officer who will make the service. Proof of service may be made as prescribed in Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4, by order of the court or by the law of the foreign country. Proof of service by mail shall include an affidavit or certificate of addressing and mailing by the clerk of court.
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