A document that serves to officially notify someone of a legal action is called what?

The correct term for a document that officially notifies someone of a legal action is a summons. A summons typically includes information about the legal action, the court where the action has been filed, and instructions on how the recipient should respond. It is an essential component in civil proceedings, ensuring that the parties involved are aware of their obligations and the necessity to appear in court.

While a citation sometimes refers to a notice to appear, particularly in statutory violations or criminal cases, it does not serve the same general purpose as a summons in civil cases. A general notice is more informal and may not be legally binding, lacking the specific force of a summons. Execution refers to the enforcement of a court judgment and does not pertain to the initial notification of a legal action.