DictionaryprocessLegal summons
noun

process

An official notice requiring someone to appear in court.

The officer serves process on the defendant.

Etymology

The Latin noun concerns going forward. Legal process names the formal steps that advance a case, including a notice compelling someone's appearance.

More examples

  • The lawyer checked whether the process had been properly delivered.
  • The case could not proceed until service of process was complete.
  • The document was a form of legal process.

Forms

process

Similar words

writ
A particular formal court order.
summons
A notice requiring someone to appear or respond.