Notice of Change of Address for Service (Form 54)

Rule 102 of the Magistrates Court (Civil Proceedings) Rules 2005 (WA) requires every document lodged in a case to contain a residential or business address for service. That address remains the party's address for service until a notice of change of address is lodged (r 102(1A)). If the address changes, the party must lodge and serve a notice of change of address as soon as practicable, in the approved form (r 102(6) and (7)). Form 54 is that notice for civil proceedings. The rule also says what kind of address each party must give: an unrepresented individual gives their usual residence, principal place of business or postal address; a partnership its principal place of business; a corporation its registered office or principal place of business; and a represented party its lawyer's principal place of business or document exchange number (r 102(2) to (5)).

When you need it

• You have moved home or business premises during a case.
• Your company's registered office or principal place of business has changed.
• You want to give or update an email or fax number in addition to your address for service, which the form allows.
• If you are a lawyer who has stopped acting, use the lawyer's notice of ceasing to act (Form 59) instead (r 102(1A)(a)). Restraining order cases have their own Form 54.

1. 1

   Copy the heading

   Enter the registry, case number, claimant and defendant from the case.

2. 2

   Select the party

   Select whose address for service is changing: the claimant, defendant or third party.

3. 3

   Give the new address

   Enter the new address, making sure it is the type r 102 requires for that party. An unrepresented individual who gives a postal address must also give the court and every other party their usual residence or principal place of business (r 102(3A)).

4. 4

   Add email and fax if wanted

   The form has space for an email address and fax number in addition to the address for service. Service by email or fax is subject to the Magistrates Court (General) Rules 2005 (r 101(1)(b)).

5. 5

   Sign and address it to the other parties

   The party or its lawyer dates and signs, and the "To" section lists each other party and their address for service. Complete the lodged-by panel.

• Lodge it through eLodgment on the eCourts Portal as soon as practicable after the address changes (rr 98C and 102(6)).
• Serve a sealed copy on each other party (rr 100 and 102(6)). Ordinary service by delivery or pre-paid post to their address for service is enough (r 101).
• Check the current fee schedule for any fee before lodging.

• Until the notice is lodged, your old address stays your address for service (r 102(1A)), and documents served there under r 101 can count as served on you even if you never see them.
• If you use a PO box, remember the extra requirement to give your residential or business address to the court and the other parties (r 102(3A)).
• Use the civil Form 54, not the restraining orders Form 54, which is a separate form on the court's forms page.