Legal Definitions - mesne process

Definition: Mesne process refers to the legal process that occurs between the beginning of a lawsuit and the final judgment. It includes all the steps and procedures that take place during the lawsuit, such as serving papers, gathering evidence, and conducting hearings.

Example: Let's say that John sues Jane for breach of contract. The mesne process would include John serving Jane with the lawsuit papers, Jane filing a response, both parties gathering evidence, and the court holding hearings to determine the outcome of the case.

Additional Example: In a divorce case, the mesne process would include serving the divorce papers, negotiating a settlement, dividing assets, and determining child custody arrangements.

The examples illustrate how mesne process encompasses all the legal steps and procedures that occur during a lawsuit or legal proceeding.