Legal Definitions - exigent

Exigent is an adjective that describes something that requires immediate action or aid. For example, if someone is having a heart attack, it is an exigent situation that requires immediate medical attention.

In legal terms, exigent is also a noun that refers to a judicial writ used in the process of outlawry. This writ commands the sheriff to demand the defendant's appearance from county court to county court until they are outlawed. If the defendant appears, the sheriff must take them before the court to answer the plaintiff's action.

Exigi facias is the Latin form of the writ of exigent, which means "that you cause to be demanded." This phrase was sometimes used as the name of the writ.

• A person experiencing a heart attack needs exigent medical attention.
• During a natural disaster, emergency responders are faced with exigent circumstances that require quick action to save lives.
• In a legal case, if a defendant fails to appear in court, the judge may issue an exigent writ to compel their appearance.

These examples illustrate how exigent refers to situations that require immediate action or attention, whether it be medical, emergency response, or legal.