What should the deputy include in the return when unable to locate the party to be served?

Including a detailed account of the attempts made to locate the party is essential in the return when service cannot be executed. This documentation provides clear evidence of the deputy's diligence in attempting to fulfill their obligation to serve legal documents. It helps to establish the due process that was followed and justifies the lack of service by demonstrating reasonable efforts were made to locate and serve the intended party.

This clarity not only aids the court in understanding what actions were taken but also protects the deputy from potential disputes regarding their efforts. By meticulously detailing the attempts, such as specific dates, times, and methods used, the deputy strengthens the case for why service could not be completed, ensuring that all necessary protocols were observed.

In contrast, while mentioning a witness or providing justification for non-service may provide additional context, they do not adequately fulfill the requirement of demonstrating the comprehensive effort made to locate the party. Just as lacking an explanation of why service wasn't attempted would fail to provide the necessary insight into the deputy's actions, focusing solely on justification without the details of attempts could be insufficient in a legal context.