Rhode Island Summons in a Civil Action is a legal document issued by a court to initiate a civil action. The summons is served on the defendant, informing them of the legal action being taken against them and the court in which the case is to be heard. There are two types of Rhode Island Summons in a Civil Action: a Summons in Complaint and a Summons Notice. The Summons in Complaint is issued when a complaint is filed in court, and the Summons Notice is issued when a defendant is being served with a summons and complaint but has not yet filed an answer. Both types of summons require the defendant to appear before the court to answer the complaint.