Connecticut How to Serve (Deliver to Defendant) a Small Claims Writ and Notice Suit is a legal process that allows a plaintiff to start a legal action against a defendant. The plaintiff must first file a complaint with the court and then a writ and notice of suit must be served on the defendant. The writ is an order from the court to the defendant to appear in court and answer the plaintiff’s complaint. The notice is a document that tells the defendant that he or she is being sued. There are two ways to serve (deliver to defendant) a small claims writ and notice suit in Connecticut. The first is personal service, which requires someone to personally deliver (serve) the writ and notice to the defendant. The second is substituted service, which allows the plaintiff to serve the writ and notice through an alternate method, such as mail or delivering to another adult at the defendant’s residence or place of business. Personal service is generally preferred and should be attempted before resorting to substituted service. If, however, personal service is not possible, substituted service is considered valid in Connecticut.