As an employee at the University, you may encounter a situation in which a state marshal or other process server who is paid to deliver legal documents asks you to accept service of a legal document during the course of your workday. While less common, you may also receive these legal documents by mail. Typically, these legal documents consist of:
- Subpoena: A subpoena is a written order issued by a court, attorney, or administrative agency. A subpoena generally requires a person to provide testimony and/or documents in connection with a legal proceeding, such as a deposition, court hearing or a trial. A subpoena is not a lawsuit against the University or the employee.
- Summons and Complaint: A summons and complaint are the documents used to initiate a lawsuit.
If you are asked to accept service of a subpoena on behalf of the University or another employee, you should decline and inform the process server to bring the documents to the Office of the General Counsel, Budds Building, 343 Mansfield Road.
If you are asked to accept service of a summons and complaint, you should decline and advise the process server that lawsuits against the state, which includes the University, must be served on the Attorney General’s Office in Hartford.
Exception: The only exception to the above is if the subpoena or summons specifically names you, as opposed to the University or another employee. In that situation, you can accept service of the subpoena or summons on your own behalf.
If you accept service of a subpoena or summons on your own behalf, receive such documents by mail, or accidently accept service of such documents, please contact the General Counsel’s Office immediately. Typically, these documents are time sensitive and failure to alert our office can result in adverse legal consequences.
Please also feel free to contact the Office of the General Counsel at any time if you have any questions.
Office of the General Counsel
John J. Budds Building
343 Mansfield Road
(860) 486-5796