If enacted, S1183 will amend Chapter 262 of the General Laws, specifically targeting Section 8. The updated fees would establish a new baseline of $30 for general service of process, with a higher fee of $45 designated for hand-served documents such as divorce summonses. This change is designed to alleviate some of the financial burdens on local law enforcement and private process servers who undertake this essential legal function.
Summary
Senate Bill S1183, presented by Senator Liz Miranda, proposes changes to the fees associated with the service of civil processes within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The bill outlines a specific increase in the fees for various types of civil process services, including serving summonses and subpoenas. Under the current legislation, the fees for these services are set at lower rates, and the intent of the bill is to adjust them to better reflect the costs associated with executing these legal actions.
Contention
The proposal may provoke discussions among various stakeholders in the legal community, particularly regarding the impact of such fee increases on access to justice. Advocates may argue that higher fees could deter individuals from pursuing legitimate legal claims due to cost concerns, thereby disproportionately affecting lower-income residents. Conversely, proponents of the bill could assert that the increases are justified to ensure that process serving remains a viable and effective function within the judicial system.