I have been summoned. What now?
First check when and where you are expected, and for which facts or claim. Make a note of the hearing date.
Whether you have to appear yourself and how you best prepare depends on the case and the content of the summons.
Save the complete summons. If you have to go to court, take your identity card with you.
First check these five pieces of information
A summons summons you to appear in court. In a criminal case you will find, among other things, the date, time, place and facts for which you are being summoned. Read all pages, because the precise content varies per case.
- Type of document and caseIs it a criminal case, traffic case, family case or other dispute?
- Court and departmentCopy the full name as it appears on the summons.
- Facts, claim and partiesSee what you are being called to do and who is involved in the case.
- Date, time and placePut the hearing details in your diary straight away.
- Other entriesHighlight other dates and clues that appear on your document.
Keep the summons, the cover and all attachments together. Make yourself a legible copy of each printed side.
What you can do yourself now
You do not need to be able to explain the matter legally yet. Start with the document and what actually happened.
Do
- Read the entire summons and keep all attachments together.
- Write in your own words what you think happened.
- Ask in good time what preparation is needed in your case file.
Don’t
- Don't ignore the document because the legal language is difficult.
- Do not react impulsively to the facts or the other party.
- Do not assume that you can stay at home because you could do so in another business.
Personal appearance or representation by a lawyer depends on the type of case and your specific situation. Have this confirmed before your hearing.
Not every summons requires the same approach
A traffic case can have consequences for your driver's license or work. In a criminal case, the defense against the stated facts is central. Different questions arise in a family matter or civil dispute. The document makes it clear where the assessment should start.
Place the document next to your own story
With a short chronology and the available documents, a lawyer can see more quickly which questions need to be answered first.
- The complete summons and attachments
- The envelope or information about service
- Previous letters, decisions, reports or messages
- Documents directly related to the case
- A brief chronology in your own words
- The names of the parties involved
If something is missing, you don't have to wait to get in touch. Indicate the hearing date and state which documents you do have.
Discuss what you already have
You recognize the court, but do not understand the reason for the summons
A resident of the Flemish periphery around Brussels receives a bundle of documents containing a hearing date, several names and legal terms. It is not immediately clear whether they need to attend in person. The useful first step is to keep the complete bundle, note the date and write down in their own words what happened before the summons, without drawing a legal conclusion themselves. This is an illustrative example. It does not describe a client or a real case.
This is an illustrative example. It does not describe a client or actual case file.
What happens after the first check?
Flamend & Partners first determines what type of case it concerns. The summons, previous documents and your factual explanation are then compared. This makes it clear what expertise is needed and what preparation is still feasible.
Who looks at which type of summons?
Carine Flamend works in, among other things, criminal and administrative law case files. Yasmine Semey handles family and civil matters, among other things. The content and conflict check determine who is involved.
Discussing a summons from Zaventem
The office is located in Zaventem and receives clients from Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia. The competent court is stated on your document and is not determined by the location of the office.
The case file determineswhich approach is appropriate.
The summons provides the starting point. The documents and your explanation determine what preparation is necessary and feasible.
First the names involved,then your accountin confidence.
Before the office discusses the contents of your case, it will need the names of the parties involved. This way, it can first check whether there is a conflict of interest that prevents assistance.
A lawyer is bound by professional secrecy. Only use the contact form to briefly outline your question and do not send a summons or sensitive data. The office will let you know how to deliver documents.
Carine Flamend
Yasmine SemeyQuestions that often arise immediately
The summons already provides a lot of information, but not every answer applies to every procedure.
Do I have to be present at the hearing?
That depends on the case, what the summons states and whether representation is possible. Have this checked in advance before your own hearing.
Can a lawyer appear for me?
Sometimes a lawyer can represent you, but that is not a general rule. The nature of the procedure and your situation determine whether this is possible and appropriate.
The hearing date is close. What now?
Contact us as soon as possible, mention the hearing date and have the complete summons at hand. The office first checks whether it can accept your case and what preparation is still possible.
I'm missing documents. Should I wait?
No. Report what documents you have and what are still missing. The court date is more important than waiting for your binder to be complete.
Your situation first deserves clarity.
Briefly explain what is going on. We carefully consider which next step is appropriate.