A subpoena may seem complicated and overwhelming, but don't worry, we are here to help!

In this article, we dive into the world of subpoenas, we discover exactly what they entail, what costs are involved, and how to write subpoenas. Because what is in a subpoena can influence what the judge decides.

With Breyta on your side, you will get the professional help you need for drafting a subpoena. Let's get started!

What is a subpoena?

A summons is an important official document by which the plaintiff informs the defendant about a (civil) lawsuit.

What is the purpose of the subpoena?

The purpose of a summons is to provide the defendant with an understanding of the claim, grounds and demands so that they can properly defend themselves in court. 

This written summons must be handed over (served) to the defendant, this may not be done by registered letter, but must be officially handed over by a bailiff.

When is a subpoena required?

A summons is necessary if you want to take someone to court to resolve a dispute or to protect your rights.

You have to inform the other party and subdistrict court with a written document. This written document is the summons.

A subpoena can cover a variety of matters, such as;

• Collection procedures
• Labour disputes
• Rent disputes
• Contractual disputes
• Intellectual property matters
• Liability cases
• Family and inheritance matters
• Administrative law cases

Our collection agency is specialised in writing subpoenas for.

• Collection procedures
• Contractual disputes
• Rent disputes

Drafting and serving a summons is a legal process where accuracy and knowledge of the law are super important.

It is therefore smart to hire a professional, such as Breyta, to write a subpoena.

This ensures that the summons meets all legal requirements and that your claim is presented correctly.

We can also assist you in the initial hearing and defence.

A good subpoena is crucial for the success of a lawsuit. It is important that the document is drafted carefully and meets certain requirements.

In this section, we will discuss the key aspects a summons must meet to be effective. 

In short, what is in the summons is very important and can influence what the civil court decides.

1. Clear and comprehensive 

A summons should be clear and complete. This means that all relevant information about the plaintiff, the defendant and the case itself should be presented in a clear and understandable manner.

Here, it is important that legal terms are used correctly and that the facts are presented in an orderly manner. 

2. Legally based 

The subpoena should have a strong legal basis. It is important to refer to the relevant laws, regulations and case law applicable to the case.

This helps to strengthen the plaintiff's position and convince the defendant of the validity of the claim. 

3. Concrete and convincing 

Finally, a summons must be specific and convincing. This means that the plaintiff must paint a clear picture of the damage suffered and the compensation sought.

It is important to factual evidence and documentation to present arguments that support the point of view. A well-constructed argument can significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome. 

To ensure that your subpoena meet these requirements, it is smart to engage a professional like us. We have the expertise and experience to help you draft a strong and convincing summons.

Contact us to find out how we can support you in your legal challenges.

Why are you receiving a subpoena? 

You may receive a summons if you are involved in a dispute or lawsuit.

It may be a civil case, demanding compensation, for example, or a criminal case, in which the prosecution demands a sentence.

In either case, it is important to study the summons carefully and respond to the claims made. In short, what is in the summons is very important.

Did you know that Breyta specialises in drafting subpoenas? We ensure that your subpoena meets all legal requirements and is properly served. This way, you can focus fully on the court case and have the best chance of success. 

"Breyta helps you write and serve the summons so that you can start your legal case worry-free."

Subpoena in debt collection proceedings? 

If you are dealing with a defaulter and the amicable collection procedure has not produced the desired results, it is time to draft a summons.

The amicable debt collection procedure is designed to reach a payment arrangement with the defaulter without court intervention.

Unfortunately, it does not always work out this way.

In that case, it is necessary to initiate legal proceedings so that the judge in the civil court can rule on the payment obligation. 

Differences suing in debt collection proceedings

There are differences between a summons for a criminal offence and a summons for collection proceedings. 

Characteristics of a summons and hearing for a criminal offence

• • Was written by the public prosecutor

  • Asks you to appear in criminal court

  • You are a suspect of a criminal offence under the law

  • You often need a lawyer

  • If you have a low income, you may be entitled to funded legal aid, in which case you will get a pro bono lawyer to handle your defence.

Features of a summons & hearing for debt collection proceedings

• • The subpoena is drafted by a legal expert such as Breyta

  • Can be handled by subdistrict court judge

  • No lawyers needed

If the claim is small and cannot actually be contested, summary proceedings are the quickest way to get your right. 

What is the cost of having a writ written?

Having a writ prepared by a professional involves costs. 

There are costs associated with legal collection proceedings.

You can use these consider costs as an investment. 

Breyta applies fixed costs for cases where the claim is not disputed. These costs are fully recoverable from the other party. 

These costs consist of the:

• Drafting of the summons by our lawyer;

• Have the summons served by our bailiff;

• Court fees;

The claim consists of the outstanding amount of invoices, collection costs and interest.

Want to know more about what judicial debt collection proceedings are? 

Disputed claims or higher than €25,000? Request a customised quotation below.

Who pays the cost of the summons?

Who bears the cost of a subpoena?

An important question to which we would like to give a clear answer.

Usually, the plaintiff is responsible for the costs of having the summons drawn up and served and for paying the court fee. This includes the cost of engaging a bailiff to deliver the summons to the defendant.

If the plaintiff wins the case, these costs may be recovered from the defendant.

This means that the defendant ultimately has to pay the summons costs and any other legal costs.

Keep this in mind when considering a lawsuit. 

Engage us to draft a professional and effective writ of summons. Thanks to our experienced lawyers, we draft a rock-solid summons, significantly increasing your chances of winning and recovering costs from the defendant.

How do subpoena proceedings proceed

A summons must be officially served by a judicial officer. This bailiff ensures that the summons is personally delivered to the defendant.

Should the defendant not be at home, in most cases the summons is delivered to a housemate or at the post office, after which a collection notice is left. 

Sending the summons as a registered letter is not a served summons and therefore not legally valid.

The summons procedure

The subpoena process may seem like a jumble of rules and steps, but with a little understanding and the right support, it can all go smoothly and hassle-free. Let's dive into the different stages of this interesting process. 

Step 1: Drafting the subpoena 

Drafting a summons is a crucial first step. This document sets out the plaintiff, the defendant, the facts and the legal grounds of the case. It is important to draft an accurate and complete summons.

A subpoena must contain the following anyway

• The names and addresses of the parties: These are the names of the plaintiff (the person initiating the lawsuit) and the defendant (the person against whom the lawsuit is directed).
• The nature of the claim: This is a description of why the plaintiff is bringing the lawsuit. It should be clear and specific.
• The proof: These are the facts the plaintiff uses to support his claim. It can consist of documents such as invoices and agreements.
• The desired outcome: This is what the plaintiff wants to get from the court. This is often the money the defendant fails to pay.

As this forms the basis for the rest of the proceedings. Breyta can help you with this by drafting a professional summons for you. 

Step 2: Issue summons 

After drafting the summons, it must be officially served on the defendant. This means a bailiff personally hands the document to the defendant.

It is important that service is done in the right way, as this ensures the legal validity of the proceedings. Thus, serving a summons should always be handled by a bailiff.

Step 3: Defendant's response and further proceedings 

After service, the defendant has the opportunity to respond to the summons in writing. Depending on the response, the case may go to civil court, where both parties can explain their positions.

It is important to be well informed and prepared throughout the proceedings so that you can represent your best interests during the hearing. 

At Breyta, we understand how important it is to have a well-drafted summons and a smooth procedure. Our experts are ready to help you draft a summons and guide you through the entire process. Contact us for more information and to discuss how we can be of service to you.

What if the defendant does not come to the hearing?

When a defendant fails to appear at the court hearing, this serious consequences have. In most cases, the judge will issue a default judgment assign, granting the plaintiff's claim without looking at the defendant's defence.

It is therefore very important to always be present at the hearing or have yourself represented by a lawyer. If you have been convicted in absentia, make sure you get a proper summons in absentia sent to the court. Usually drafted by a

With the application, you ask the court to hear the lawsuit again. This will ensure postponement of the judgment. Of course, make sure you do show up on the next date. You can hire a lawyer to put up a defence, but this is not mandatory.

Within one working day you will receive an advice and cost estimate. Completely free of obligation. We only start working after your approval.