The International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ) was represented at the 44th Annual Conference and Educational Seminar of the National Association of Professional Process Servers, held in Cleveland, Ohio, from 23 to 25 April 2026 by Sue Collins, Vice-Secretary of the Board, and Marc Schmitz, President. This major professional gathering brought together process servers from all over the United States, offering a valuable platform for exchanges on evolving practices, technological developments, and professional standards.
The programme combined institutional meetings, networking opportunities, and specialised educational sessions. From the outset, participants were able to engage in exchanges, which contributed to strengthening professional relationships in a more informal setting. The core of the conference consisted of the Annual Meeting of NAPPS, during which key governance matters were addressed, including exhibitor introductions, discussions on the strategic direction of the association, and the nomination and election of officers and directors.
Within this framework, the UIHJ played an active role, notably through the intervention of its President, Marc Schmitz, who delivered a presentation entitled “The Expanding Use of Electronic Service Around the World” on 25 April 2026. This presentation provided an overview of the global development of electronic service of documents, highlighting the diversity of legal approaches across jurisdictions and the increasing importance of digitalisation in procedural law. Particular attention was given to the challenges of ensuring legal certainty, reliability, and cross-border recognition in an environment where technological innovation is rapidly transforming traditional methods of service. The intervention also emphasised the importance of international cooperation and the role of organisations such as the UIHJ in promoting harmonised and secure practices at the global level.
The conference also addressed key themes that are central to the future of the profession. A dedicated session focused on the use of artificial intelligence and technological tools in legal services, reflecting on their growing impact on the daily activities of process servers and enforcement professionals. In addition, discussions on the expanding use of electronic service highlighted the need for continued adaptation of legal frameworks and professional practices. Another important session was devoted to professionalism and the challenges faced by today’s process servers, underlining the importance of ethics, competence, and public trust in the exercise of these functions.
Participation in this conference was of significant strategic importance for the UIHJ. It provided an opportunity to strengthen transatlantic relations with the U.S. process serving community, to promote the global role of judicial officers, and to showcase the organisation’s expertise in areas such as digital transformation and cross-border cooperation. It also enabled the UIHJ to engage directly with practitioners on emerging challenges, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence and the digitalisation of judicial procedures.
Overall, the NAPPS 44th Annual Conference constituted a highly valuable forum for professional exchange and reflection. The active participation of the UIHJ, including a dedicated presentation, contributed to reinforcing its position as a global reference organisation in the field of service of process and the enforcement of judicial decisions, while further consolidating its relationships with key partners in North America.
