In which situation may a notice to produce not require personal service?

A notice to produce may not require personal service when leave has been granted by the court. This is important because the court has the power to make specific orders regarding the manner of service, depending on the circumstances of the case. If the court grants leave, it can provide alternative methods of service that differ from the standard requirements, allowing for flexibility in the legal process.

This provision caters to situations where strict adherence to personal service may not be feasible or necessary, helping streamline the process while still ensuring that the parties involved receive the necessary documents in a timely manner. The court's discretion in allowing alternative service methods ensures that parties can still comply with legal obligations without undue hardship when specific conditions warrant such an adjustment.

The other choices do not directly relate to the ability to bypass personal service as effectively as the provision granted by the court does. For instance, electronic communication agreements or the nature of the documents may influence how the notice is handled, but they do not provide the legal authority to disregard personal service requirements. Similarly, procedural rules typically lay out the steps for service but generally do not account for exceptions without a specific court order.