™Documents served in person across Bendigo and regional Victoria. Every attempt is recorded and you’re kept updated, so you always know where things stand.
For solicitors and law firms
I work directly with solicitors, especially around Bendigo and the surrounding region.
- Personal service of court and legal documents
- Substituted service attempts, each one logged with the date and time, who I spoke to and what I saw
- Affidavits of service prepared and sworn (send your firm’s template if you prefer it)
- Prompt updates after each attempt
- After-hours attempts available
To instruct me, email the documents to be served, the person’s full name and known addresses, any description or photo, and your deadline.
For individuals, including family law matters
If you’re handling your own matter, I can serve documents for you, including Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia documents such as initiating applications and subpoenas. I’m discreet and professional, and I’ll explain what I need from you.
What to send me: fill in the Request a service form, then email the documents (and any photo) to mark@victoriancountrymercantile.com.au with your name and the other party’s name in the subject line.
- All the documents to be served, as issued by the court
- The full name of the person to be served, and the addresses where they’re likely to be found (home, work), with the times they’re usually there
- A description, and a recent photo if you have one, so I can identify the right person
- Anything I should know about safety, including any intervention or protection orders
- Your court date or deadline, and your contact details
Please note: VCM can’t give legal advice. Court rules set out what has to be served, on whom, how and by when. Please check the court’s requirements (for family law matters, see fcfcoa.gov.au) or speak to a lawyer. Free legal help may be available from Victoria Legal Aid or a community legal centre.
Helpful links for people handling their own matter
Official court and government sites. These open in a new tab.
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- FCFCOA: Divorce overview
- FCFCOA: Family law forms
- Commonwealth Courts Portal (court file and hearing details)
- Victoria Legal Aid: Divorce, separation and marriage annulment
- Victoria Legal Aid: Parenting arrangements and child contact
- Family Relationships Online
- Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
VCM can’t give legal advice. Check the court’s requirements or speak to a lawyer.
What you receive
When service is done, you receive an affidavit of service, prepared and sworn. If service can’t be completed, you get a written record of each attempt with dates, times and what was observed, and an affidavit of attempted service can be provided if required.
Fees
Fees are charged in line with the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria scale of costs for service, plus GST; urgent or after-hours service is quoted before we start.
Where I serve
Bendigo and surrounds and regional Victoria. Further afield? Ask anyway.
Common questions
How quickly can you serve?
Tell me your deadline when you send the documents. Urgent service can be arranged, and is quoted before we start.
Can you tell me which documents I need to serve?
No. I can’t give legal advice. Please check the court’s requirements or speak to a lawyer.
What if the person avoids service?
I’ll make further attempts as instructed and record each one in detail. That record can be provided to you or your lawyer, and an affidavit of attempted service can be provided, which may support an application to the court for an order for substituted service.
Process serving is carried out in line with the applicable court rules and the law. Mark Stevens is a member of the Institute of Mercantile Agents.