SERVE SUMMONS Meaning and
Definition
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Serving summon refers to the legal act of delivering an official notice or document, known as a summons, to an individual informing them of the legal actions being taken against them. This often occurs in the context of a lawsuit or legal proceeding.
A summons is a written notification issued by a court or authorized party, such as a lawyer or process server, formally notifying an individual that they are required to appear in court or respond to a legal complaint, petition, or other legal documents. The purpose of serving summons is to ensure that the individual is made aware of the legal action being taken against them, guaranteeing their right to due process.
Serving a summons involves physically delivering the document to the intended recipient, commonly referred to as the defendant or respondent. This can be done by various means, including personal service, where the summons is handed directly to the individual, or substituted service, which involves delivering the summons to a responsible adult at the individual's residence or place of employment. In some cases, serving summons may be challenging if the individual is avoiding or evading the legal process, prompting the use of alternative methods such as publication or posting the notice in a public place specified by the court.
Once the summons is served, the recipient is legally obligated to respond by appearing in court or taking appropriate actions outlined in the document by the specified deadline. Failing to respond or address the summons may result in a default judgment or other legal consequences.
Common Misspellings for SERVE SUMMONS
Etymology of SERVE SUMMONS
The term "serve summons" is a compound phrase made up of two individual words: "serve" and "summons".
The verb "serve" originates from the Old French word "servir", which means "to serve" or "to obey". It comes from the Latin word "servire", which carries the same meaning.
On the other hand, "summons" is derived from the Latin word "summonere", meaning "to remind". The word entered Middle English through Old French as "sumouns" or "sumons", referring to an authoritative call or notice to appear in court.
Therefore, the etymology of "serve summons" combines the notion of executing an action (serve) with the act of formally notifying someone to appear in court (summons).
