What is the primary purpose of serving a summons?

The primary purpose of serving a summons is to notify a defendant of a lawsuit and compel them to respond. When a summons is issued, it serves as an official legal document that informs the defendant that they are being sued and provides essential details about the case, including the court in which it has been filed and the time frame within which they must respond. This process ensures that the defendant is aware of the legal proceedings against them, allowing them the opportunity to present their side of the case.

Effective service of a summons is critical to upholding the legal principle of due process, which requires that individuals receive fair notice of any legal actions that may affect their rights or responsibilities. Without proper service, a court might not have jurisdiction over the defendant, potentially invalidating the legal proceedings.

The other options do not align with the core function of a summons. Collecting a debt is a separate action from the legal notification provided by a summons. Dismissing a case is typically a result of legal procedures or motions and not a purpose of serving a summons. Similarly, appealing a court decision is a process undertaken after a judgment has been made, unrelated to the initial notification of a lawsuit that a summons serves to initiate.