Opinion ID: 488741
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of process

Text: 18 The Territorial Court challenges the sufficiency of process on the executive branch prior to the entry of the original injunction. The Territorial Court argues that no defendant was effectively served and, therefore, the district court should not have proceeded to hold a hearing on the permanent injunction. 19 This argument is without merit. Under Rule 12(h) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, defective service of process is waived if it is not challenged in the first defensive pleading. See Konigsberg v. Shute, 435 F.2d 551 (3d Cir.1970). Assuming without deciding that the Government did not waive the alleged defect in the first phase of this litigation and that the Territorial Court could challenge the adequacy of service on another entity, the Territorial Court did not challenge the sufficiency of process in its filings and participation in the district court. The defense has been waived and the Territorial Court may not raise it for the first time on this appeal.