ADJOURNED SUMMONS Meaning and
Definition
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ADJOURNED SUMMONS
An adjourned summons refers to a legal document issued by a court or a legal authority that notifies an individual or entity to appear in court on a specific date and time. However, due to various unforeseen circumstances or the need for additional information or evidence, the court has determined that it is necessary to postpone or reschedule the originally set court date.
In this context, the adjourned summons serves as a notice to the individual or entity that their originally scheduled court appearance has been deferred or postponed to a later date. This document specifies the new date, time, and location they are expected to appear before the court. The adjournment of the summons may result from factors such as the unavailability of a key witness, the need for further investigation, or any other circumstances that may affect the proper administration of justice.
The purpose of an adjourned summons is to provide all parties involved in a legal matter with sufficient notice and time to prepare their case. It ensures that both the defendant and the plaintiff have an opportunity to present their arguments or evidence adequately. Moreover, an adjourned summons allows the court to effectively manage its docket and ensure that cases proceed in an orderly and fair manner.
It is important to note that an adjourned summons should be treated with utmost seriousness and compliance. Failure to appear in court as directed in an adjourned summons may result in legal consequences, including a default judgment being entered against the non-compliant party.
Etymology of ADJOURNED SUMMONS
The word "adjourned" originated from the Old French "adjourner", which means "to postpone" or "to put off until a later time". It is derived from the Latin word "adjournare", where "ad" means "to" or "towards", and "diurnus" means "day", implying to "put off until another day".
The word "summons" has its roots in Latin as well, from the verb "summonere", which means "to remind secretly" or "to call together". It derives from the prefix "sub-" meaning "under" or "secretly", and "monere", which means "to remind" or "to warn".
When combining these terms, an "adjourned summons" refers to a legal document or notice ordering someone to appear before a court or authority.
