Belize


 

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International Service Up-date

Belize

             Process Service Network specializes in legal service in Belize and is one of the few firms that handles international service of process and offers competitive rates.  The following is a summary of the methods available for service in Belize as well as a specific proposal for process service. 

             Our job is to cut through the bureaucracy and red tape to get the service completed with as little delay as possible.  We have been in business since 1978 and have developed close working relationships with key individuals in most countries throughout the world.  The founder and CEO of Process Service Network was a Political Science major in college with a focus on international relations and is actively involved in a worldwide organization through which he has developed business and personal relationships in over 80 nations worldwide. He is also an International Circle member of the World Affairs Council.

 FORMAL SERVICE:

                Many countries are signatories to The Hague Service Convention (treaty) that governs service of process to be effected between participating nations.  Belize is one of them. Service may be made by formal service through the Central Authority which itself arranges for service by methods prescribed in that country.  Documents to be served in accordance with this method must be translated into the official language of the country where the documents will be served.  The time frame can range from 2 to 6 months.  This is the recommended method if attachment of assets abroad is anticipated.  Belize has recently withdrawn from The Hague Service Convention (treaty) and, therefore, formal service through the Central Authority is no longer available.

                Advantage:         Enforceable judgment; cost

INFORMAL SERVICE:

 Private process servers may serve documents in most countries, whether a signer of The Hague Service Convention, or not.  Service is normally handled in a manner similar to methods used in the United States, although completion of the service usually takes longer. Customs and traditions in other countries tend to lead to a slower pace and less rigid work habits, particularly in Latin American countries.  Service sometimes may take several months but informal service is sometimes faster than the formal method.  Recent services took 3-4 weeks. Many process servers who we employ are off-duty police officers or other government officials who are able to, in certain cases, exercise their official capacity to complete the service.

 Disadvantage:     Judgment may not be enforceable in the country where assets are  located; cost

 LETTERS ROGATORY:

                 Letters Rogatory is a request from a court in the United States to a court in a foreign country requesting international judicial assistance related to service of process.   This method is time consuming, cumbersome, and should be used only when other options are not available.  The use of this method is not recommended by the U.S. State Department given the habitual time delays of up to 2 years in the execution of requests.  Fees for this method of service are generally 100-500% higher than other methods.  Use only for taking depositions.

                 Advantage:    In effect, creates a case in the country where the documents are served and makes judgment enforceable.

                Disadvantage:   Serious time delays and costs.

 TRANSLATIONS:

                 Some countries require the documents to be translated into the official language of the nation where they are to be served.  The U.S. State Department recommends translation, but it is not a requirement unless the formal method is used.  It is possible, although rare, that a demurer could be filed based upon lack of understanding by the defendant as to the nature and meaning of un-translated documents.

 COSTS:  

Service of process*
Formal: $685.00

Informal:

 $1375.00
Expedited: $2700.00
*All fess are per defendant/address
     

Translation

Spanish - $0.38 per word (proper nouns are not translated)

 DISCLAIMER:

                 The information contained herein is provided for general information only and may not be accurate at the time of service in a particular case or country.  Questions involving specific services should be directed to our office.  Care should be exercised in choosing the method of service (formal/informal) if eventual enforcement of a U.S. judgment is anticipated in the country where the documents are to be served.  No legal advice is intended in the statements contained herein.  Assignments for international service of process are accepted on the basis that the assigning law firm has researched all applicable laws.  Process Service Network and its agents assume no liability for its actions in the course of any phase of the service of process assignment.


Process Service Network™

Mailing address:     20832 Roscoe Blvd. #106, Winnetka, CA 91306
Phone: (800)4-1-PROCESS   or  (800)417-7623   or   (818)772-4796
Fax:  (818)772-4797  *  E-mail: processnet@sbcglobal.net 

Make check payable to:    Process Service Network

U.S. Government CAGE No:  5ACG6

We accept Visa We accept MasterCard We accept American Express

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  Specializing in International Service and "hard-to-serve" cases

Here's what we will need to serve your documents:

  1. Three (3) sets of the documents to be served (all copies are okay); OR email attachment in PDF format (we'll make the copies if we're doing the translation)

  2. A brief letter of instructions, including the service address and requested method of service (formal or informal)

  3. Payment for the service fees.  If translation is required, we will bill you for the translation after that phase is completed

  4. It's that simple!

A note about copies:  There is no charge for copies made if sent via email attachment or fax if translation is being done by us.  However, service documents sent to us via email or fax for regular domestic and international assignments are subject to a $.25/page copy fee.  Copy fees are waived for documents to be translated.

Terms and Conditions:    * Guaranteed service means we will serve the documents at the address provided, if service is legally possible. Dated documents may require a re-set of the court date if unable to serve in time.  Additional charge will apply for additional addresses and attempts on dated documents after re-set.  Guarantee does not apply to investigations, out-of-area process service, small claims cases, documents with specific court dates, or international service of process due to circumstances that may occur beyond our control or in certain nations and we cannot be responsible for such circumstances. Service outside the U.S. is often slow and cumbersome; we cannot guarantee the stated timeframes since they are based on prior experience and circumstances changes without notice. Like all process servers, we charge for each address attempted. No refunds will be made after institution of any assignment, for any reason.  All fees are due and payable upon demand. Financial obligation is not relieved due to non-payment and non-payment cannot be construed as a waiver of contract, or cancellation of services, for assignments made to our firm. Services will not be completed until all fees are paid; fee obligation remains in effect even though payment has not been made.  Our fees cover all known governmental fees in foreign nations and our fee to handle the service; in rare cases, extra charges may apply to cover governmental agency fees, example:  China. There is an Embassy fee of $735.00 per defendant on all Letters Rogatory assignments.  By assigning a service to PSN, client gives permission to PSN to sign their name on the Request for Service Abroad, the transmittal form used to request service pursuant to the Hague Service Convention.  No other permissions are given. Accounts that are not paid by the established deadlines are subject to civil action to collect the amount due, plus costs, and attorneys fees (if applicable).  The court of jurisdiction is Los Angeles County, California. By assigning a service assignment to us, you agree to all terms and conditions.

Note:  We've been in business since 1978, so we must be doing it right.

Process Service Network™ is a registered trademark.
Copyright @1998 - 2010.   All rights reserved.

Providing service to the legal profession since 1978