What is an Acknowledgment of Service and when should it be served?

• A. Acknowledgment of service by the defendant; usually due within 14 days
• B. Acknowledgment of service by the claimant; usually due within 28 days
• C. A court order to acknowledge service; due within 7 days
• D. A notice of appeal; due within 21 days

Answer: (A)

An Acknowledgment of Service is a document the defendant uses to confirm they have received the claim form. It must be filed within 14 days of the claim form being served. The importance of this step is that, once filed, it keeps the defendant’s option to defend open and also changes the timing for submitting a defence: the defendant then has up to 28 days from the date the claim form was served to file their defence. The option described—being filed by the defendant and due within 14 days—captures both who signs it and the deadline for sending it. The other statements are not accurate because the claimant does not file an acknowledgment, there is no court order to acknowledge service, and it is not a notice of appeal.