Citation

Citation, a proceeding to compel the appearance of a party in court to answer a claim. It is more particularly applicable to the Probate and Divorce Division of the High Court of Justice. where the party to be affected by the order of the Court is served with a citation issuing from the High Court of Justice, the object of which is to compel a representation to be taken by those who are primarily entitled to it, or to provide a substitute upon a voluntary renunciation on their part. In the Ecclesiastical Courts generally the issue of a citation is the usual mode of commencing a suit. It is the judicial act by which a defendant is commanded to appear in the suit.