What is meant by service of process?

Service of process refers specifically to the legal procedure by which a party to a lawsuit formally notifies the other party, typically the defendant, of the legal action being taken against them. This process ensures that the defendant is made aware of the claims and allegations and has the opportunity to respond. Proper service of process is essential to uphold the defendant's right to due process; without it, a court may not have jurisdiction over the defendant, and any judgment made could be considered void.

In this context, notifying a defendant about a lawsuit is critical as it initiates the legal proceedings. The notice usually comes in the form of a summons and a complaint, which detail the nature of the lawsuit and the relief sought. Understanding the importance of this step is crucial for both plaintiffs and defendants in the legal process.

Other options describe different aspects of court procedure but do not pertain to the definition of service of process. For instance, delivering a court judgment relates to the outcome of a case rather than the initiation. A meeting to discuss a settlement involves negotiation after the lawsuit has been filed, and submission of evidence involves the court proceedings where evidence is presented to support a case.