Which option is NOT an alternative to personal service?

The correct answer identifies an option that is not recognized as a legitimate alternative to personal service within the framework of civil procedure. In Ontario's civil litigation context, personal service is a fundamental method of ensuring that a defendant receives legal documents directly.

While options like acceptance of service by a lawyer, service by mail to the last known address, and service at the place of residence are established methods for delivering these legal documents and are often used when personal service is impractical or impossible, acceptance through email confirmation does not conform to the traditional requirements for serving legal documents.

To be considered valid, service methods must adhere to specific legal standards and protocols set forth in the applicable rules, which may not support email as a universally recognized method of service. While electronic communications have become widely adopted in many areas, the formal requirements for serving legal documents typically necessitate physical delivery methods unless expressly provided for within the legislation governing service.

Thus, recognizing the limitations of email service aligns with a correct understanding of the civil procedure rules in Ontario, reflecting that it does not fulfill the criteria for non-personal service alternatives like the other methods mentioned.