Legal Definitions - actual notice

Definition: Actual notice is a type of notice that is given directly to a person or is personally received by them, informing them of a case that could affect their interests. This type of notice is different from constructive notice, which is when the law considers a person to have received notice even if they did not actually receive it.

Example: If someone is served with legal papers in person, that is considered actual notice. They have been directly informed of the case and its potential impact on their interests. However, if someone is not served in person but still receives notice through other means, such as through the mail or by publication, that is considered constructive notice.

It's important to note that constructive notice is often considered more important than actual notice. For example, if someone is properly served with legal papers but doesn't actually receive them due to a mistake or error, they cannot dismiss the case for lack of notice. On the other hand, if someone is improperly served but still receives the papers, they may be able to dismiss the case for lack of notice.