Are you in the right place? Guidelines for serving, accepting, and responding to subpoenas are in PPM 470-1.

A Summons and Complaint is a document that begins a civil action and notifies the named defendant(s) of legal action being filed against them. It can be served in person or via registered mail.

Whether to accept a Summons and Complaint:

• If the university (generally identified as the Regents of the University of California) is the named defendant, DO NOT accept service. Inform the server that you are not authorized to accept service and refer the server to the Office of the President, General Counsel in Oakland.
• If an individual is the named defendant, only that person or an authorized designee can accept service.

Whether or not you accept, always notify Risk Management immediately, (858) 534-3820, or via emergency pager, (858) 583-3286, when someone attempts to serve a Summons and Complaint.

After you're served with a Summons and Complaint:  Defendants must respond within an allotted time, generally 20 to 30 days from when the first defendant is properly served. Risk Management will coordinate with named defendants and appropriate legal counsel to ensure compliance.

If you are a UCSD employee and have questions about lawsuits or Summons and Complaints, contact Risk Management, (858) 534-3820.