Legal Definitions - prothonotary

Definition: A prothonotary (pronounced pruh-thon-uh-ter-ee or proh-thuh-noh-tuh-ree) is a chief clerk in certain courts of law. They are also sometimes called protonotaries.

Example: In Pennsylvania, the prothonotary is responsible for maintaining court records and issuing writs and subpoenas.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a prothonotary is a clerk who performs important administrative tasks in a court of law. They are responsible for keeping track of legal documents and ensuring that court proceedings run smoothly.

Example: The prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the United States is responsible for maintaining the Court's records and overseeing the admission of attorneys to the bar.

Explanation: This example shows how the role of a prothonotary can vary depending on the court. In the case of the Supreme Court, the prothonotary has additional responsibilities related to the admission of attorneys to practice before the Court.

Example: The term "prothonotary" comes from the Greek word "protonotarios," which means "first scribe."

Explanation: This example provides some etymological background on the term "prothonotary." It shows how the word has its roots in ancient Greek and refers to the position of a chief scribe or clerk.