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summons
/ˈsʌmənz/ noun [C] (plural summonses) LAWDefinition
› an order for someone to appear in a court of law: One newspaper reporter was given a summons for disorderly conduct. They will be issued a summons to appear before the U.S. District Court in Richmond. Service of the summons does not have to be effected in person; postal service is likely to be sufficient.issue/serve/send a summons Proctor will be served a summons with a date to appear in court to answer the charges.receive/get/be given a summons Approximately half of defendants receive a summons rather than being brought into custody.
→ See also originating summons, witness summons, writ of summons(Definition of summons noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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