Legal Definitions - writ of mesne process

Definition: A legal writ that allows a plaintiff to continue legal action against a defendant who has not yet been served with a summons or who has not appeared in court. It is also known as a writ of mesne.

Example: If a plaintiff files a lawsuit against a defendant but is unable to serve them with a summons, they can request a writ of mesne process to continue the legal action. This writ allows the plaintiff to serve the defendant through other means, such as publication in a newspaper or posting the summons on the defendant's door.

This example illustrates how a writ of mesne process can help a plaintiff continue legal action even if the defendant is difficult to locate or refuses to appear in court.