Increasing Expectations for Evidence
The legal industry, including law firms and their clients, increasingly demands verifiable evidence to ensure that services or attempts at service occur precisely as specified. This growing expectation stems from a need for accountability and transparency in process serving. California has taken the remarkable step of creating a new level of accountability for 2027: the SPARE Act. (For more details on this consequential legislation and how it affects you, see the section on SPARE Act.)
Importance of Professional Integrity
While we hold a high level of trust and respect for the professionalism of all our contractors, instances have arisen recently where servers have not been entirely truthful about their attempts. To bolster client trust and maintain the integrity of our services, additional measures are necessary. Trust but verify.
Mandatory Evidence Collection
To meet client requirements, enhance trust within the process serving profession, and meet the requirements of the SPARE Act, One Legal mandates the following when using the ServeManager mobile app:
Logging Attempts: All service attempts, both unsuccessful and successful, must be logged through the mobile app each time they are made at the (or immediate to) the attempted address.
Photographic Evidence: Upon arrival at the service location, a photograph of the door or entryway of the building or address (never of people) must be captured to verify the location. This must be done through the app itself - photos from your library or other applications are no longer acceptable.
GPS Verification: The app captures GPS coordinates to confirm your presence at or near the specified service address. This information will also be stamped on the photo you take, which creates a Two-Step Verification of a sort.
"Safety First" Exception
Your safety remains our paramount concern. We recommend the following steps to safely use the app:
Pre-Attempt Preparation: Capture the necessary GPS data and photograph before approaching the service location. Save these as a draft in the app.
Post-Attempt Safety: Complete your attempt entry upon returning to your vehicle, or if necessary, drive to a safe location to finish logging the attempt.
"Safety First"
Safety Over Compliance: If logging any part of an attempt via the ServeManager mobile app - including the photo - compromises your safety, do not proceed. Move to a safe location and inform us immediately. The attempt process will provide a method for you to communicate any safety issues that compromised your ability to enter a complete attempt.
Remember: Your personal safety is always the priority. (See the article on De-Escalation and Safety in the Field.)
Additional App Functionality
While the ServeManager app offers various other features that can enhance your efficiency and communication, such as scheduling, routing, and accepting new jobs, using the app to log attempts is non-negotiable. This requirement ensures real-time, accurate communication of your activities to us and our clients, fulfilling your obligations in an efficient way and contributing to the overall trust in the process serving profession.