What is “service of process”?

Service of process refers specifically to the delivery of legal documents, such as a summons or complaint, to a party involved in a legal proceeding. This procedure is crucial because it ensures that individuals or entities are properly notified of legal actions being brought against them and are given the opportunity to respond. The requirement for service of process is rooted in the principle of due process, which mandates that parties must be aware of legal proceedings affecting their rights.

Filing a lawsuit with the court pertains to initiating the legal process, but it does not involve notifying the parties; thus, it does not capture the essence of service of process. Similarly, a judgment made after a trial relates to the outcome of legal proceedings rather than the necessary notifications that precede them. Negotiation between parties before a trial often occurs in the context of dispute resolution but does not involve the formal process of notification that service of process encompasses. This underscores why the correct answer is the delivery of legal documents, which plays a vital role in the functioning of the judicial system.