D.C. Code § 13-424 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-424
§ 13-424. Service outside the District of Columbia.
Status: in_force

When the exercise of personal jurisdiction is authorized by this subchapter, service may be made outside the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 13-338 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-338
§ 13-338. Prerequisites for order of publication.
Status: in_force

An order for the substitution of publication for personal service may not be made until:
(a) (1) A summons for the defendant has been issued and returned "not to be found"; and
  (2) The plaintiff proves by affidavit to the satisfaction of the court:
    (A) The nonresidence of the defendant or his or her absence for at least 6 months; or
    (B) Diligent efforts to find the defendant or that the defendant seeks to avoid service of process by concealment.
D.C. Code § 13-442 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-442
§ 13-442. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
(1) “Foreign jurisdiction” means a state other than the District of Columbia.
(2) “Foreign subpoena” means a subpoena issued under authority of a court of record of a foreign jurisdiction.
(3) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government, or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(4) “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
(5) “Subpoena” means a document, however denominated, issued under authority of a court of record requiring a person to:
  (A) Attend and give testimony at a deposition;
  (B) Produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books, documents, records, electronically stored information, or tangible things in the possession, custody, or control of the person; or
  (C) Permit inspection of premises under the control of the person.
(6) “Superior Court” means the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 13-702 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 7 / § 13-702
§ 13-702. Jury trials in civil cases in Court of General Sessions.
Status: repealed

Repealed.
D.C. Code § 13-301 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-301
§ 13-301. Courts to which applicable.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law or rules of court, this chapter applies to the District of Columbia courts.
D.C. Code § 13-423 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-423
§ 13-423. Personal jurisdiction based upon conduct.
Status: in_force

(a) A District of Columbia court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a person, who acts directly or by an agent, as to a claim for relief arising from the person’s —
  (1) transacting any business in the District of Columbia;
  (2) contracting to supply services in the District of Columbia;
  (3) causing tortious injury in the District of Columbia by an act or omission in the District of Columbia;
  (4) causing tortious injury in the District of Columbia by an act or omission outside the District of Columbia if he regularly does or solicits business, engages in any other persistent course of conduct, or derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed, or services rendered, in the District of Columbia;
  (5) having an interest in, using, or possessing real property in the District of Columbia;
  (6) contracting to insure or act as surety for or on any person, property, or risk, contract, obligation, or agreement located, executed, or to be performed within the District of Columbia at the time of contracting, unless the parties otherwise provide in writing; or
  (7) marital or parent and child relationship in the District of Columbia if:
    (A) the plaintiff resides in the District of Columbia at the time the suit is filed;
    (B) such person is personally served with process; and
    (C) in the case of a claim arising from a marital relationship:
      (i) the District of Columbia was the matrimonial domicile of the parties immediately prior to their separation, or
      (ii) the cause of action to pay spousal support arose under the laws of the District of Columbia or under an agreement executed by the parties in the District of Columbia; or
    (D) in the case of a claim affecting the parent and child relationship:
      (i) the child was conceived in the District of Columbia and such person is the parent or alleged parent of the child;
      (ii) the child resides in the District of Columbia as a result of the acts, directives, or approval of such person; or
      (iii) such person has resided with the child in the District of Columbia.
    (E) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) through (D), the court may exercise personal jurisdiction if there is any basis consistent with the United States Constitution for the exercise of personal jurisdiction.
(b) When jurisdiction over a person is based solely upon this section, only a claim for relief arising from acts enumerated in this section may be asserted against him.
D.C. Code § 13-431 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-431
§ 13-431. Manner and proof of service.
Status: in_force

(a) When the law of the District of Columbia authorizes service outside the District of Columbia, the service, when reasonably calculated to give actual notice, may be made —
  (1) by personal delivery in the manner prescribed for service within the District of Columbia;
  (2) in the manner prescribed by the law of the place in which the service is made for service in that place in an action in any of its courts of general jurisdiction;
  (3) by any form of mail addressed to the person to be served and requiring a signed receipt; or
  (4) as directed by the foreign authority in response to a letter rogatory.
(b) Proof of service outside the District of Columbia may be made by affidavit of the individual who made the service or in the manner prescribed by the law of the District of Columbia, the order pursuant to which the service is made, or the law of the place in which the service is made for proof of service in an action in any of its courts of general jurisdiction. When service is made by mail, proof of service shall include a receipt signed by the addressee or other evidence of personal delivery to the addressee satisfactory to the court.
D.C. Code § 13-341 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-341
§ 13-341. Service by publication on persons unknown to be living or dead and on unknown heirs and devisees.
Status: in_force

(a) When a person would be a proper party to a judicial proceeding if living, and upon allegation under oath and proof satisfactory to the court that it is unknown whether he is living or dead, he may be proceeded against as if he were living, and with like effect, if a representative of or claimant under him does not intervene in the action before final determination thereof, after notice by publication as in the case of nonresident parties.
(b) When a person who would have been a proper party to a judicial proceeding is dead, and it is unknown whether he died testate or left heirs, or his heirs and devisees are unknown, the unknown persons may be described as the heirs or devisees of the person who, if living, would be the proper party. Notice shall be given by publication to them according to that description, and the same proceedings shall be had against them as are had against nonresident defendants, except that:
  (1) the notice shall be published at least twice a month for such period, not less than three months without good cause shown, as the court orders, and the notice shall require the parties to appear on or before the day fixed in the notice to appear; and
  (2) an order, judgment or decree may not be entered against the parties unless the court is satisfied that due diligence has been used to ascertain the unknown heirs.
D.C. Code § 13-434 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-434
§ 13-434. Assistance to tribunals and litigants outside the District of Columbia.
Status: in_force

(a) A District of Columbia court may order service upon any person who is domiciled or can be found within the District of Columbia of any document issued in connection with a proceeding in a tribunal outside the District of Columbia. The order may be made upon application of any interested person or in response to a letter rogatory issued by a tribunal outside the District of Columbia and shall direct the manner of service.
(b) Service in connection with a proceeding in a tribunal outside the District of Columbia may be made within the District of Columbia without an order of court.
(c) Service under this section does not, of itself, require the recognition or enforcement of an order, judgment, or decree rendered outside the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 13-340 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-340
§ 13-340. Manner of publication; mailing of copy; default; appointment and compensation of guardian and attorney.
Status: in_force

(a) An order of publication shall be published at least once a week for three successive weeks, or oftener, or for such further time as the court orders. In  child custody proceedings, as defined in [§ 16-4601.01(4)] , or actions for divorce in which service by publication is authorized under this chapter, and satisfactory evidence is presented to the court that the plaintiff is unable to pay the cost of publishing an advertisement pursuant to D.C. Offical Code sec. 13-340, without substantial hardship to himself or herself, or to his or her family, the court may direct that such publication may be made by posting the order of publication defined in D.C. Official Code sec. 13-339, for a period of twenty-one calendar days, in the Clerk’s Office of the Family Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(b) An order, judgment or decree may not be entered against an absent or nonresident defendant upon proof of notice by publication, unless the plaintiff, his agent, or attorney files in the action an affidavit showing that at least twenty days before applying for the order, judgment or decree he mailed, postpaid, a copy of the advertisement or the order of the publication posted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, directed to the party therein ordered to appear, at his last known place of residence, or that after diligent effort he has been unable to ascertain the last place of residence of the party.
(c) On failure of the defendant to appear in obedience to the notice within the time stated therein, a judgment or decree by default may be entered.
(d) If the absent or nonresident defendant is an infant, the provisions of the rules of court concerning guardians ad litem and default judgments shall apply, and the court may assign counsel to represent the infant in the manner provided by subsection (a) of section 13-332.
(e) If the absent or nonresident defendant is non compos mentis, the provisions of the rules of court concerning guardians ad litem and default judgments shall apply, and the court shall assign an attorney to represent the defendant, whose compensation shall be paid by the plaintiff, or out of the estate of the defendant, at the discretion of the court.
D.C. Code § 13-336 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-336
§ 13-336. Service by publication on nonresidents, absent defendants, and unknown heirs or devisees.
Status: in_force

(a) In actions specified by subsection (b) of this section, publication may be substituted for personal service of process:
  (1) Upon a defendant who cannot be found and who is shown by affidavit to be a nonresident or to have been absent from the District for at least 6 months;
  (2) Upon a defendant who cannot be found after diligent efforts or who by concealment seeks to avoid service of process; or
  (3) Against the unknown heirs or devisees of deceased persons.
(b) This section applies only to:
  (1) actions for partition;
  (2) actions for divorce or annulment;
  (3) actions for child custody under D.C. Official Code, Title 16, Chapter 45 [repealed];
  (4) actions by attachment;
  (5) actions for foreclosure of mortgages and deeds of trust;
  (6) actions for the establishment of title to real estate by possession;
  (7) actions for the enforcement of mechanics’ liens, and other liens against real or personal property within the District;
  (8) actions that have for their immediate object the enforcement or establishment of any lawful right, claim, or demand to or against any real or personal property within the jurisdiction of the court; and
  (9) actions for the appointment of a vulnerable youth guardian under [subchapter VI of Chapter 23 of Title 16] .
D.C. Code § 13-303 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-303
§ 13-303. Service or execution on Sunday.
Status: repealed

Repealed.
D.C. Code § 13-302.01 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-302.01
§ 13-302.01. Service by Metropolitan Police Department.
Status: in_force

(a) The Metropolitan Police Department shall execute, upon request, a bench warrant in any case in which paternity establishment or child support is at issue.
(b) The Metropolitan Police Department shall serve civil process in any case in which paternity establishment or child support is at issue and shall serve the process at the request of the IV-D agency in any IV-D case. In a non-IV-D case, a judicial officer may order the Metropolitan Police Department to serve process pursuant to this section or to accompany a private process server upon a finding of danger to the process server or a finding that the respondent is evading service. The affidavit of a private process server shall be considered sufficient evidence for a finding of danger or evasion of service.
(c) A special unit that consists of at least 4 police officers shall be established for the exclusive purpose of performing the duties enumerated in section 13-302.01(a) and (b).
(d) The IV-D agency shall provide funds to the Metropolitan Police Department to pay for the full cost, including administrative costs, of providing the services in section 13-302.01(a) and (b) in all IV-D cases.
D.C. Code § 13-701 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 7 / § 13-701
§ 13-701. Special juries in District Court.
Status: repealed

Repealed.
D.C. Code § 13-331 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-331
§ 13-331. Service under other laws and rules of court.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not limit or affect the right to serve process in any other manner now or hereafter required or permitted by:
(1) other law, including Chapter 4 of this title or, any other provisions of this Code; or
(2) rule of court.
D.C. Code § 13-401 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-401
§ 13-401. Relation to other provisions of law.
Status: in_force

Except in cases of irreconcilable conflict, this chapter shall be construed to augment, and not to repeal, any other law of the District of Columbia authorizing another basis of jurisdiction or permitting another procedure for service in civil proceedings in the District of Columbia courts.
D.C. Code § 13-402 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-402
§ 13-402. Uniformity of interpretation.
Status: in_force

When the statutory language so permits, this chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to make it uniform with the laws of those jurisdictions which enact in comparable form the first two articles of the Uniform Interstate and International Procedure Act.
D.C. Code § 13-432 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-432
§ 13-432. Individuals eligible to make service.
Status: in_force

Service outside the District of Columbia may be made by an individual who is permitted to make service of process under the law of the District of Columbia or under the law of the place in which the service is made or who is designated by a District of Columbia court.
D.C. Code § 13-502 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 5 / § 13-502
§ 13-502. Effect of assignment.
Status: in_force

When cross-demands have existed between persons under such circumstances that if one had brought an action against the other a counterclaim could have been pleaded, neither can be deprived of the benefit thereof by an assignment by the other; but in an action by the assignee of a nonnegotiable debt the defendant may set off by counterclaim any indebtedness to him of the assignor, existing before notice of the assignment, as well as any indebtedness to him of the plaintiff.
D.C. Code § 13-335 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-335
§ 13-335. Service by publication on domestic or foreign corporations.
Status: in_force

In an action specified by section 13-336  , when process can not be served upon a domestic or foreign corporation, the corporation may be proceeded against as a nonresident defendant, by notice by publication.
D.C. Code § 13-444 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-444
§ 13-444. Service of subpoena.
Status: in_force

A subpoena issued by a Clerk of Superior Court under § 13-443 shall be served in compliance with § 11-942 and applicable rules of the Superior Court for the service of subpoenas.
D.C. Code § 13-441 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-441
§ 13-441. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the “Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act”.
D.C. Code § 13-339 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-339
§ 13-339. Form of order of publication.
Status: in_force

An order of publication shall be in the following or an equivalent form:
United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
AB, plaintiff,
versus          In ____. No. ____
CD, defendant.
The object of this action is to (state it briefly).
On motion of the plaintiff, it is this ____ day of ____, A.D. ____, ordered that the defendant cause his appearance to be entered herein on or before the fortieth day, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays, occurring after the day of the first publication of this order; otherwise the cause will be proceeded with as in cause of default.
________ Judge.
D.C. Code § 13-333 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-333
§ 13-333. Service on incompetent persons.
Status: in_force

When a person non compos mentis is a party defendant in an action, process shall be served upon him personally, if within the District, and upon his committee, if there is one within the District.
D.C. Code § 13-422 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-422
§ 13-422. Personal jurisdiction based upon enduring relationship.
Status: in_force

A District of Columbia court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a person domiciled in, organized under the laws of, or maintaining his or its principal place of business in, the District of Columbia as to any claim for relief.
D.C. Code § 13-447 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-447
§ 13-447. Uniformity of application and construction.
Status: in_force

In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it[.]
D.C. Code § 13-503 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 5 / § 13-503
§ 13-503. Action against principal and sureties.
Status: in_force

In an action against principal and sureties, an indebtedness of the plaintiff to the principal may be set off by counterclaim as if he were the sole defendant. When the indebtedness so set off exceeds the plaintiff’s demand, the judgment for the excess shall be in favor of the defendant who is sued as principal.
D.C. Code § 13-433 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-433
§ 13-433. Individuals to be served; special cases.
Status: in_force

When the law of the District of Columbia requires that in order to effect service one or more designated individuals be served, service outside the District of Columbia under this article must be made upon such designated individual or individuals.
D.C. Code § 13-505 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 5 / § 13-505
§ 13-505. Action by or against executor or administrator.
Status: in_force

In an action against an executor or administrator, in his representative capacity, the defendant may plead, by way of counterclaim, a demand belonging to the decedent where he would have been entitled to rely upon the demand in an action against him; and in an action brought by an executor or administrator, in his representative capacity, a demand against the decedent, belonging at the time of his death to the defendant, may be pleaded by way of counterclaim, as if the action had been brought by the decedent in his lifetime.
D.C. Code § 13-302 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-302
§ 13-302. Service by marshal.
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of law or rules of court for service by other persons, the United States marshal for the District of Columbia or his deputy shall serve the process of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 13-445 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-445
§ 13-445. Deposition, production, and inspection.
Status: in_force

The rules of the Superior Court applicable to compliance with subpoenas to attend and give testimony, produce designated books, documents, records, electronically stored information, or tangible things, or permit inspection of premises apply to subpoenas issued under § 13-443 .
D.C. Code § 13-443 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-443
§ 13-443. Issuance of subpoena.
Status: in_force

(a) To request issuance of a subpoena under this section, a party shall submit a foreign subpoena and a copy of the sworn statement required under § 13-449(b) [§ 13-449] to the Clerk of the Superior Court. A request for the issuance of a subpoena under this chapter does not constitute an appearance in the courts of the District of Columbia.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, when a party submits a foreign subpoena to the Clerk of the Superior Court, the clerk, in accordance with the Rules of the Superior Court, shall promptly issue a subpoena for service upon the person to which the foreign subpoena is directed.
(c) A subpoena under subsection (b) of this section shall:
  (A) Incorporate the terms used in the foreign subpoena; and
  (B) Contain or be accompanied by the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all counsel of record in the proceeding to which the subpoena relates and of any party not represented by counsel.
(d) If a party submits a document to the Clerk of the Superior Court that would be a valid foreign subpoena except that the party seeking enforcement and their counsel refuse to provide the affirmation required by § 13-449 , then the Clerk shall not issue the requested subpoena and shall instead issue to the person to whom the document is directed a copy of the document and a notice of violation of § 13-449 on a form developed by the Clerk of the Superior Court.
D.C. Code § 13-449 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-449
§ 13-449. Affirmation of noninterference with bodily autonomy.
Status: in_force

A subpoena issued under the authority of a court of record of a foreign jurisdiction shall not be recognized as a valid foreign subpoena unless it is accompanied by a sworn written statement signed by the party seeking enforcement or their counsel under penalty of perjury that no portion of the subpoena is intended or anticipated to further any investigation or proceeding of a type described in § 2-1441.02(a) [§ 2-1461.01(a)].
D.C. Code § 13-448 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-448
§ 13-448. Application to pending actions.
Status: in_force

This chapter applies to requests for discovery in cases pending on May 22, 2010.
D.C. Code § 13-334 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-334
§ 13-334. Service on foreign corporations.
Status: in_force

(a) In an action against a foreign corporation doing business in the District, process may be served on the agent of the corporation or person conducting its business, or, when he is absent and can not be found, by leaving a copy at the principal place of business in the District, or, where there is no such place of business, by leaving a copy at the place of business or residence of the agent in the District, and that service is effectual to bring the corporation before the court.
(b) When a foreign corporation transacts business in the District without having a place of business or resident agent therein, service upon any officer or agent or employee of the corporation in the District is effectual as to actions growing out of contracts entered into or to be performed, in whole or in part, in the District of Columbia or growing out of any tort committed in the District.
D.C. Code § 13-504 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 5 / § 13-504
§ 13-504. Action by trustee.
Status: in_force

When the plaintiff in a civil action is trustee for another, or has no actual interest in the contract on which the action is founded, a demand against the plaintiff may not be pleaded by way of counterclaim, but a demand against the person whom he represents or for whose benefit the action is brought may be pleaded.
D.C. Code § 13-101 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 1 / § 13-101
§ 13-101. Prescription of rules by courts.
Status: repealed

Repealed.
D.C. Code § 13-421 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-421
§ 13-421. Definition of person.
Status: in_force

As used in this subchapter, the term “person” includes an individual, his executor, administrator, or other personal representative, or a corporation, partnership, association, or any other legal or commercial entity, whether or not a citizen or domiciliary of the District of Columbia and whether or not organized under the laws of the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 13-446 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4A / § 13-446
§ 13-446. Application to Superior Court.
Status: in_force

An application to the Superior Court for a protective order or to enforce, quash, or modify a subpoena issued by a clerk of court under § 13-443 shall comply with the Rules of the Superior Court and laws of the District and shall be submitted to the Superior Court.
D.C. Code § 13-425 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 4 / § 13-425
§ 13-425. Inconvenient forum.
Status: in_force

When any District of Columbia court finds that in the interest of substantial justice the action should be heard in another forum, the court may stay or dismiss such civil action in whole or in part on any conditions that may be just.
D.C. Code § 13-337 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-337
§ 13-337. Personal service outside District in lieu of publication.
Status: in_force

(a) In actions specified by section 13-336, personal service of process may be made on a nonresident defendant out of the District, and the service has the same effect, and no other, as an order of publication duly executed.
(b) The service may be made by any person not a party to or otherwise interested in the subject-matter in controversy. The return shall be made under oath in the District of Columbia, unless the person making the service is a sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, or deputy marshal, authorized to serve process where service is made. The return must show the time and place of service and that the defendant so served is a nonresident of the District of Columbia.
(c) The cost and expense of such service of process out of the District shall be borne by the party at whose instance it is made and may not be taxed as part of the costs in the case; but where the service of process is made by an authorized officer of the law specified by this section, the actual and usual cost of the service of process shall be taxed as a part of the costs in the case.
D.C. Code § 13-332 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 3 / § 13-332
§ 13-332. Service on infants; appointment and compensation of guardian and attorney.
Status: in_force

(a) When an infant is a party defendant in an action, the summons and complaint shall be served upon him personally and, when he is under 16 years of age, upon the person with whom he resides, if within the District. The infant shall be produced in court unless, for cause shown, the court dispenses with his appearance. The provisions of rules of court regarding guardians ad litem apply, and whenever in the judgment of the court the interests of an infant defendant require it, the court shall assign an attorney to represent the infant whose compensation shall be paid by the plaintiff, or out of the estate of the infant, at the discretion of the court.
(b) An infant who secretes himself or evades service of process may be proceeded against as if he were a nonresident.
(c) Whoever secretes an infant against whom process has issued, so as to prevent service of the process, or prevents his appearance in court, is liable to attachment and punishment as for contempt.
D.C. Code § 13-501 — DC Code / Title 13 / Chapter 5 / § 13-501
§ 13-501. Counterclaim by way of set-off as an action by defendant.
Status: in_force

In a civil action, a defendant who files a counterclaim by way of set-off shall be deemed to have brought an action at the time of filing the counterclaim for the matters mentioned therein.