Service of documents outside Australia – QLD

The rules in Queensland courts relating to service of documents outside Australia have been amended.

The Uniform Civil Procedure (Service Outside Australia) Amendment Rule 2019 (Qld) has inserted a new Chapter 4, Part 7, Division 1 into the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld). The new Division 1 of Part 7 consists of two subdivisions, dealing with the Supreme Court and the District and Magistrates courts respectively.

The amendments are to incorporate the harmonised rules for service of documents outside Australia originating from the Council of Chief Justices’ Rules Harmonisation Committee. The amendments are minimal, relating mainly to terminology and consistency between jurisdictions.

The rules provide for the service of documents outside Australia, not including New Zealand, which is already covered by the provisions of the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 (Cth).

The commentaries in the following By Lawyers litigation guides have been amended accordingly:

• Supreme Court – Act for Plaintiff;
• Supreme Court – Act for Defendant;
• District Court – Act for Plaintiff;
• District Court – Act for Defendant;
• Magistrates Court – Act for Plaintiff.