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Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.027514
I note you seek access to the following information:
We currently are engaged in enforcement action that relates to a vacant, ruinous dwelling in Belfast (with dwellings attached either side being badly damaged, resulting in adverse health effects for the occupants of both) that is owned by a person who lives in London.
We are at the point where we are ready to issue a summons to require the owner to present himself to a court in Belfast. In Northern Ireland, the function of serving the summons is carried out by the Courts Service staff. I asked one of our solicitors yesterday how we get a summons served in London and he believes this is carried out by the police and not a 'summons server'.
I would be grateful if you would confirm this (or otherwise).
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Where a summons is required to be served on a respondent within the Metropolitan Police District, the court may elect to serve the summons using its own officers or by requesting police attendance to effect the service, dependent on the court and the type of summons.
Where the Metropolitan Police are requested by the court to serve a summons, it may be sent by post to the police station for the relevant area, or (if an original copy is not required to be served on the respondent) emailed to the Metropolitan Police Force Control Room by the court, or via other police forces or agencies.
An incident record (CAD) will be created and sent to the command area covering the address in the summons, in order for a police unit to attend and serve the summons, which is then returned to the originating court along with a statement of service from the attending officer, if required. If the summons cannot be served then a reasonable number of attempts will be made to re-attend the venue and complete the service, before the summons is returned to the originator.