Scire facias meaning

Scire facias is a legal writ used to enforce a judgment already rendered by a court.


Scire facias definitions

Word backwards erics saicaf
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division sci-re fa-cias
Plural The plural of the word "scire facias" is "scire facias".
Total letters 11
Vogais (3) i,e,a
Consonants (4) s,c,r,f

Scire facias is a legal term of Latin origin that translates to "you should make known." It is a writ or legal process used to revive a dormant judgment or to bring it before the court for enforcement. This ancient common law procedure is still used in some jurisdictions today.

Origin and Purpose

The scire facias writ was originally used in English common law to notify someone that they were being sued and to command them to appear in court. Over time, its purpose evolved to allow plaintiffs to enforce dormant judgments without having to file a new lawsuit.

Revival of Judgments

When a judgment remains unpaid or unresolved for an extended period, it may become dormant. In such cases, a party seeking enforcement can use scire facias to bring the judgment back before the court. This process alerts the judgment debtor of the revival and gives them an opportunity to respond.

Enforcement Mechanism

Scire facias serves as a way to enforce a judgment without starting a new case from scratch. It streamlines the process and provides a means for the plaintiff to collect on the judgment without going through the entire litigation process again. It is a useful tool for resolving old debts and legal disputes.

In modern legal systems, the use of scire facias may vary, but its underlying purpose remains the same. It is a mechanism to give notice, revive dormant judgments, and enforce legal rights without the need for a completely new lawsuit. Understanding the historical significance and practical applications of scire facias can be helpful for both legal professionals and individuals navigating the complexities of the legal system.


Scire facias Examples

  1. The judge issued a scire facias order to bring the case back to court.
  2. The plaintiff filed a scire facias writ to enforce the judgment.
  3. The attorney used a scire facias process to challenge the validity of the lien.
  4. The court granted the motion for scire facias to compel the witness to testify.
  5. The defendant sought a scire facias action to contest the foreclosure proceedings.
  6. The legal team prepared a scire facias petition to challenge the statute.
  7. The judge reviewed the scire facias complaint before issuing a ruling.
  8. The party served the scire facias notice to notify the other side of the upcoming hearing.
  9. The court clerk filed the scire facias order in the case docket for record-keeping.
  10. The scire facias decree was entered into the court records as evidence of the judgment.


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  • Updated 17/04/2024 - 14:36:02