SERVE WITH A SUMMONS Meaning and
Definition
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To serve with a summons refers to the act of delivering a legal document known as a summons to an individual who is being named as a defendant or respondent in a lawsuit or legal proceeding. The summons serves as an official notice and informs the recipient about the lawsuit or legal action filed against them, along with the date, time, and location of the court hearing where they are required to appear.
Serving with a summons is a crucial step in the legal process as it ensures that the individual being summoned is made aware of the legal proceedings against them and is accorded the opportunity to respond and present their side of the case. This delivery of the summons typically takes place through a process server, a designated individual who is authorized by law to physically deliver legal documents.
The process server must personally hand over the summons to the individual being summoned or, in certain cases, leave the document at their place of residence or business. Once the summons is successfully served, the process server often completes an affidavit or certificate of service to provide evidence that the recipient was indeed served with the summons.
Failure to serve an individual with a summons can result in the dismissal of the lawsuit or a delay in the legal process, as proper notice is a fundamental aspect of ensuring a fair and just legal proceeding.
Common Misspellings for SERVE WITH A SUMMONS
