Legal Definitions - short summons

A short summons is a legal document issued by a court that formally notifies an individual or entity that a lawsuit has been filed against them, but it requires a significantly *shorter* period for them to respond or appear in court compared to a standard summons. This expedited timeline is typically mandated in specific types of legal actions where a quick resolution is necessary, such as landlord-tenant disputes, certain emergency motions, or small claims cases.

• Example 1: Eviction Proceedings

  Imagine a landlord in a major city files an eviction lawsuit against a tenant who has repeatedly violated their lease agreement by causing disturbances and failing to pay rent for several months. Instead of the typical 20-30 days a defendant might have to respond in a standard civil case, the tenant receives a short summons requiring them to appear in Housing Court within 5-10 days. This illustrates a short summons because the legal process is accelerated to address the urgent matter of property possession and the landlord's right to regain their property quickly.

• Example 2: Emergency Business Dispute

  Consider a small manufacturing company that discovers a former employee has stolen confidential client lists and is actively using them to poach customers for a new, competing business. The company needs immediate legal intervention to prevent further irreparable financial harm. The company's attorneys might request a short summons to compel the former employee to appear in court for a hearing on a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction within just a few days. This is a short summons because the court recognizes the critical need to protect proprietary business information and bypasses the standard, longer response times.

• Example 3: Small Claims Court Action

  Suppose an individual sues a local auto repair shop in small claims court for damages exceeding the cost of repairs, claiming the shop caused additional damage to their car while it was in their care. The summons issued by the small claims court might require the auto repair shop to appear for a hearing within a relatively short period, perhaps 15-20 days, rather than the longer response times typical of more complex civil litigation. While not always explicitly termed a "short summons," the underlying principle of an expedited court appearance for a specific, often less complex, legal matter is the same, aiming for quicker resolution.