What two jurisdictional requirements must support service of process for an action?

• A. Subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction
• B. Venue and personal jurisdiction
• C. Only subject matter jurisdiction
• D. Only personal jurisdiction

Answer: (A)

Two things must be in place for service of process to be effective: the court must have subject matter jurisdiction to hear the type of case, and it must have personal jurisdiction over the defendant to bind them. Service of process is the mechanism that brings the defendant within the court’s authority, but it only works if the court already has power over the subject matter and over the person. Venue is a separate concern about where the case is heard and does not by itself confer jurisdiction to bind the defendant. So, the valid framework is that both subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction are required for service of process to be proper.