What is an official notice of a lawsuit?

An official notice of a lawsuit is referred to as a summons. A summons is a legal document issued by a court that notifies a defendant that a lawsuit has been filed against them and provides essential details such as the time frame within which the defendant must respond or appear in court. It serves to inform the involved parties and initiate the legal proceedings while ensuring that the defendant is aware of the claims made against them.

In contrast, pleadings refer to formal documents filed with the court outlining each party's claims and defenses, while a subpoena is a document that orders an individual to appear in court or produce evidence. An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in court. Each of these documents plays a distinct role in the legal process, but the official notification of a lawsuit specifically corresponds to a summons.