Legal Definitions - summary proceeding

A summary proceeding is a non-jury legal process that resolves a dispute or case quickly and efficiently. It is a type of legal proceeding that settles a controversy or disposes of a case in a relatively prompt and simple manner. Examples of summary proceedings include:

• A small claims court hearing
• An administrative hearing
• A hearing to determine a person's mental capacity

These examples illustrate the definition of a summary proceeding because they are all legal processes that are designed to be resolved quickly and efficiently. They are typically less formal than a traditional court trial and may not involve a jury. Summary proceedings are often used for cases that involve small amounts of money or minor legal disputes.