A Summons in a Civil Action is a court document that is issued to a defendant in a civil case. It is a formal notification that a lawsuit has been initiated against them and that they must appear in court and provide a response to the allegations. Summons in a Civil Action can be issued by a clerk of court or a lawyer. There are two types of Summons in a Civil Action: a Summons and Complaint, which includes the formal allegations made by the plaintiff against the defendant; and a Summons Only, which includes the notice of the lawsuit but does not include the specific allegations. Both types of Summons in a Civil Action require the defendant to appear in court at a specific time and place to answer the charges.