The Rise of the Gig Economy in Legal Work
Apps have changed the way we get groceries, rides, and meals. But can the same model really work for legal process serving? Some large companies think so—they treat process servers like interchangeable gig workers.
While this approach may work for pizza, it doesn’t work when someone’s legal rights are on the line. Here’s why treating process servers like gig workers is dangerous for your case.
1. Legal Service Isn’t a Side Hustle
Gig work is designed for flexibility—drivers can log in and out whenever they want.
Process serving requires consistency, dedication, and knowledge of legal procedure.
A part-time driver juggling multiple apps may not have the focus or training to handle complex service requirements.
2. High Turnover = Low Experience
Gig models churn through workers quickly—drivers come and go.
Process servers need experience: knowing statutes, handling evasive recipients, documenting service correctly.
Constant turnover means your case would likely land in the hands of someone inexperienced.
3. No Investment in Training
Delivery platforms don’t train drivers beyond basic app use.
Some big-box process serving companies adopt the same mindset—throwing papers at whoever signs up.
Without proper training, mistakes are inevitable: wrong service methods, incomplete affidavits, missed deadlines.
4. Volume Over Quality
Gig systems reward speed and volume. The more jobs completed, the better.
But in legal service, speed without accuracy is dangerous.
A single mistake—like serving the wrong person—can undo an entire case.
5. Lack of Professional Accountability
Gig workers answer to ratings, not to courts.
A professional process server knows their affidavit could be scrutinized in court and even lead to testimony under oath.
Accountability creates higher standards. Without it, clients take the risk when something goes wrong.
- Workers at big box companies often don’t have legal training, either. That means, they often don’t know what to look for in terms of missing documents, etc.
6. Confidentiality and Privacy Risks
Legal documents often contain sensitive information.
Would you trust private legal records to someone who just signed up for a side gig yesterday?
Professional servers follow strict confidentiality standards. Gig workers may not even realize what’s at stake.
- Members of professional associations (like OAPS – Oregon Association of Process Servers; and NAPPS – National Association of Professional Process Servers) have to pass background checks and submit proof of experience.
7. The Cost of Cutting Corners
Choosing the cheapest service provider may seem smart—but improper service can cost thousands in legal fees and delays.
- Remember if the fee is low, the person doing the service isn’t making much money at all and has ZERO incentive to be professional. They might be getting about 5% of the fee per attempt. (Compare that to about 50% of the fee paid by locally-owned companies.)
Judges don’t care if the company was “affordable.” They care whether service was legal and valid.
8. Protect Your Case With Professional Standards
True process servers aren’t gig workers—they’re legal professionals.
They invest in:
Training and continuing education.
Skip tracing and investigative tools.
Court-ready documentation.
This is the difference between a case that moves forward smoothly and one that stalls.
Conclusion
The gig economy is fine for dinner and rides, but when your lawsuit depends on proper service, you need more than a side-hustler with an app. You need trained professionals who understand the gravity of the job.
Solid Serve Legal invests in professionalism, not just paper delivery. If your case matters, don’t risk it on a gig worker. Contact us today and put your trust in trained process servers who know the law.