Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Yes. See the rule below:

Rule 440. Service of Legal Papers Other than Original Process.

(a) (1) Copies of all legal papers other than original process filed in an action or served upon any party to an action shall be served upon every other party to the action. Service shall be made

(i) by handling or mailing a copy to or leaving a copy for each party at the address of the party�s attorney of record endorsed on an appearance or prior pleading of the party, or at such other address as a party may agree, or

Official Note

Such other address as a party may agree might include a mailbox in the prothonotary�s office or an e-mail address. For electronic service by means other than facsimile transmission, see Rule 205.4(g).

(ii) by transmitting a copy by facsimile to the party�s attorney of record as provided by subdivision (d).

(2) (i) If there is no attorney of record, service shall be made by handing a copy to the party or by mailing a copy to or leaving a copy for the party at the address endorsed on an appearance or prior pleading or the residence or place of business of the party, or by transmitting a copy by facsimile as provided by subdivision (d).

(ii) If such service cannot be made, service shall be made by leaving a copy at or mailing a copy to the last known address of the party to be served.

Official Note

This rule applies to the service upon a party of all legal papers other than original process and includes, but is not limited to, all other pleadings as well as motions, petitions, answers thereto, rules, notices, interrogatories and answers thereto.

Original process is served under Rule 400 et seq.

(b) Service by mail of legal papers other than original process is complete upon mailing.

(c) If service of legal papers other than original process is to be made by the sheriff, he shall notify by ordinary mail the party requesting service to be made that service has or has not been made upon a named party or person.

(d) (1) A copy may be served by facsimile transmission if the parties agree thereto or if a telephone number for facsimile transmission is included on an appearance or prior legal paper filed with the court.

(2) The copy served shall begin with a facsimile cover sheet containing

(i) the name, firm, address, telephone number, of both the party making service and the party served,

(ii) the facsimile telephone number of the party making service and the facsimile telephone number to which the copy was transmitted,

(iii) the title of the legal paper served and

(iv) the number of pages transmitted.

(3) Service is complete when transmission is confirmed as complete.

I dissent.

A subpoena may be hand delivered although the person being subpoenaed can waive it. Many times a witness needs a subpoena to prove to his boss he's going to court. I've had any number of witnesses drop by the office and pick up a subpoena.

The recipient doesn't sign for it the server signs a return of service stating where and when the subpoena was handed to the person being subpoenaed. Generally, the return of service is filed with the prothonotary. That way if the witness doesn't show up you can make him.

{John}

I agree with John. So long as the person serving the subpoena is not a party, the server need only hand it to the witness, and then file an affidavit with the Prothonotary.