Legal Definitions - tip-stave

A tip-stave is a servitor of bills, which is a messenger of the marshal of the King's Bench. They are sent out to summon people to court.

One example of a tip-stave is a person who is hired by the court to deliver legal documents to individuals who are required to appear in court. Another example is a person who is responsible for ensuring that witnesses appear in court on the day of a trial.

For instance, if a person is being sued and they fail to appear in court, a tip-stave may be sent out to deliver a summons to the individual. The tip-stave would explain the legal consequences of failing to appear in court and would urge the individual to attend the hearing.

Another example is if a witness fails to appear in court on the day of a trial, a tip-stave may be sent out to locate the witness and bring them to court. The tip-stave would explain the importance of the witness's testimony and would ensure that they arrive at court on time.

A tip-stave is a historical term that refers to a messenger of the marshal of the King's Bench. They were responsible for summoning people to court and ensuring that they appeared on the day of a trial. The examples illustrate how tip-staves were used in the legal system to ensure that individuals fulfilled their legal obligations.