Consent to service of process.
1. An applicant for licensing or registration under this chapter or an issuer who proposes to offer a security in this State through an agent shall file with the Administrator, in the form the Administrator by regulation prescribes, an irrevocable consent appointing the Administrator his agent for service of process in a noncriminal proceeding against him, a successor or personal representative which arises under this chapter or a regulation or order of the Administrator under this chapter after the consent is filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent.
2. A person who has filed a consent complying with subsection 1 in connection with a previous application for registration need not file an additional consent.
3. If a person, including a nonresident of this State, engages in conduct prohibited or made actionable by this chapter or a regulation or order of the Administrator under this chapter and the person has not filed a consent to service or process under subsection 1, the engaging in the conduct constitutes the appointment of the Administrator as the person’s agent for service of process in a noncriminal proceeding against him, a successor or personal representative which grows out of the conduct.
4. A consent to service filed on behalf of an issuer organized or domiciled under the laws of a foreign country whose securities are being offered in this State otherwise than by or through underwriters must be accompanied by an opinion of counsel stating that a judgment of United States courts will be recognized by the courts of the country in which the issuer was organized or is domiciled.
5. Service under subsection 1 or 3 may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the Administrator, but it is not effective unless:
(a) The plaintiff, who may be the Administrator, sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the defendant or respondent at the address set forth in the consent to service of process or, if no consent to service of process has been filed, at the last known address, or takes other steps which are reasonably calculated to give actual notice; and
(b) The plaintiff files an affidavit of compliance with this subsection in the proceeding on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court, or the Administrator in a proceeding before him, allows.
6. Service as provided in subsection 5 may be used in a proceeding before the Administrator or by the Administrator in a proceeding in which he is the moving party.
7. If the process is served under subsection 5 the court, or the Administrator in a proceeding before him, may order continuances as may be necessary to afford the defendant or respondent reasonable opportunity to defend.
Last modified: February 26, 2006