sists

A sists is a traditional Scottish legal term referring to a writ of summons or an order to appear before a court. Specifically, it was a form of diligence or legal action used to compel a defender to appear in court. The term originates from the Old French word "cist," meaning "is," referring to the imperative nature of the command.

In historical Scottish law, a sists was a crucial tool for initiating legal proceedings. When a pursuer wished to bring a case against someone, they would obtain a sists to have the defender summoned to answer the claim. This document would outline the nature of the action and the date by which the defender was required to respond. Failure to comply with a sists could result in a default judgment against the absent party.

The practice of using sists has largely been superseded by modern legal procedures in Scotland. Contemporary court rules and statutes govern the process of initiating lawsuits and summoning parties, making the archaic term "sists" a relic of historical legal terminology. While no longer in active use, understanding the concept of a sists provides insight into the evolution of Scottish civil procedure and the historical methods of ensuring parties appeared in court to resolve disputes.