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Simple English definitions for legal terms
sumner
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A quick definition of sumner:
Term: SUMNER
Definition: A sumner is a person who is responsible for summoning individuals to appear in court, particularly in an ecclesiastical court. They are also known as summoners or nuntius. The sumner's role is to give notice to the defendant to obey the original writ, which is done through a summons. This warning can be given in person or left at the defendant's home or land by two of the sheriff's messengers called summoners.
A more thorough explanation:
A sumner was a summoning officer, especially in an ecclesiastical court. They were responsible for summoning parties to appear in court.
In medieval England, a sumner was a petty officer who would deliver a summons to someone who was being sued or accused of a crime. They would either deliver the summons in person or leave it at the person's home or land.
For example, if someone was accused of stealing a cow, the sumner would deliver a summons to that person, telling them to appear in court to answer the charges.
This example illustrates how a sumner was an important figure in the legal system of medieval England, responsible for ensuring that people appeared in court when they were supposed to.