I realise this is the Sydney Morning Herald, a site which does nothing more than round up net dribble to attract hits, so it's with hesitation that i post this link:

Australian court serves documents via Facebook.

"ACT Supreme Court ordered that a default judgement could be served on defendants by notification on Facebook"

What a load of rubbish. I don't even believe emails sent to me by 'my' bank, how can you be expected to believe some email sent on facebook about a matter you may not be aware of. This is a very stupid move.

People are criticised for being tricked in to giving out their bank details and passwords yet here we have a judge saying facebook IM's are suitable for notification of the conclusion of a legal matter.

People are criticised for being tricked in to giving out their bank details and passwords yet here we have a judge saying facebook IM's are suitable for notification of the conclusion of a legal matter.

It really depends on the circumstances.
Sometimes it is very difficult to actually serve the papers.
We had an ex-client at work that owed us a substantial amount of money, and we had heaps of problems actually serving the papers (in a legal sense).
We tried to send him the papers in the mail -> returned to sender = Not served
We tried to send him papers via courier (we have to provide where it is from) -> Not accepted = Not served
The courts tried to visit the guys house multiple times at different times of the day/night - refused to answer the door, had lights on etc...just didn't answer = not served.
Tried to email - didn't allow send receipt to be returned = not served.

I am totally surprised that Facebook was suitable....but eh I don't see a problem if the courts have tried all over avenues.

thats where you need those sneaky serving ninjas from the movies who are like "fireblood?" "yeh.." "YOU'VE BEEN SERVED!"

need to do it like in pineapple express.

just go to his house wearing a girl guide outfit then when he opens the door punch him in the face and ram the papers down his throat.

This is just for the ACT right?

just go to his house wearing a girl guide outfit then when he opens the door punch him in the face and ram the papers down his throat.

Need to confirm it is actually the person :( and need to get a third party to serve the papers (from what I understand of it)

surely it's some kind of a contempt or court or something like that to repeatedly refuse to get served

cause once you get served... and you serve back... then it's on

Well once you've rendered him unconscious take his drivers licence and compare it to his ugly mug if it matches then ram the papers down his throat and write on his forehead "you've been served" backwards so when he looks in the mirror he realises his errant ways. As for third parties just get a real girl guide to do it then, at least she'll already have the uniform :p

surely it's some kind of a contempt or court or something like that to repeatedly refuse to get served

Probably...but it's a "small" claim, thus enlisting more services etc may outweigh the amount he owes us!