Unsealed—and no kiss

Is service by solicitors of an unsealed copy of a claim form effective service?

When the claim form is issued it must be sealed by the court (CPR 2.6). There is no requirement to seal the service copy although sealing is good practice as it indicates the authenticity of the document. Provided the claim form has been issued before it is served, it seems to us that service of an unsealed copy would generally be good service.