Service — in plain language
work done for someone else — whether it's a job, delivering legal papers, or providing something like phone or internet service
From a fixed, curated glossary of 7,257 legal terms. Not legal advice. How it's made: plainlanguage.us/trust
Plain language
work done for someone else — whether it's a job, delivering legal papers, or providing something like phone or internet service
- work performed for another
- job or employment duties
- delivering legal documents
- providing a utility or professional offering
What to watch for
- The word 'service' has completely different meanings in different legal contexts. In employment, it means work time; in court, it means delivering papers; in contracts, it means professional work. Always check the surrounding context to pick the right plain-language translation.
- In stock option agreements, 'cessation of service' does not mean the person stopped helping customers — it means they stopped working for the company. A plain-language translation must clarify this employment relationship.
- When 'service' appears in phrases like 'years of service,' it refers to employment duration, not customer service. Non-lawyers often misread this as quality of work rather than length of employment.
- In court documents, 'service of process' is a technical term for delivering legal papers. Simply translating it as 'service' loses the critical meaning that official notice must be given before a lawsuit can proceed.
Context Determines Meaning. "Service" is one of the most context-dependent legal terms. In employment documents, it refers to working time or job duties. In court papers, it means delivering legal documents. In business contracts, it means professional work or utilities provided. Always read the surrounding sentences to determine which meaning applies.
Employment vs. Customer Service. When "service" appears in employment contexts (like "years of service" or "cessation of service"), it refers to the employee's work relationship with the company, not customer service quality. This distinction is crucial for stock options, severance, and benefits calculations.
Service of Process Is Technical. In court documents, "service of process" is a specific legal procedure with strict rules about how papers must be delivered. Simply translating this as "service" loses the essential meaning that proper legal notice must be given before a case can proceed.
Legal definition
Work done for someone else — whether it's a job you do for an employer, delivering legal papers to someone in a lawsuit, or providing something like phone, internet, or professional help. The exact meaning depends entirely on the context where you see it.
Meanings by context
employment law: The time you spend working for a company, used to figure out things like vacation pay, retirement benefits, or stock options.
civil procedure: Officially giving someone court papers so they know they're being sued or that legal action has started against them.
contracts and business: Work done by professionals or companies for customers, like getting internet from a provider or hiring a consultant for advice.
Examples
Legal: Forfeiture of Unvested Restricted Stock Upon Cessation of Service.
Plain: You lose any unvested company stock if you stop working for the company.
Legal: Company shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation.
Plain: This agreement covers any work you do for the company as a director, officer, employee, or representative.
Legal: service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
Plain: officially delivering court papers to notify someone about a lawsuit in places where this is required.
Where you'll see it
- employment agreements
- court filings
- service contracts
- stock option agreements
- utility and telecommunications agreements
Related terms
- service of process
- employment
- consideration
- consideration
- consideration
Word details
- Pronunciation
- SUR-vis
- Part of speech
- noun
- Origin
- Latin — from 'servire' — to serve, to be a servant
- Domains
- contract law, employment law, civil procedure, corporate law
- Frequency
- very common
- Formality
- moderate
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