vocatae

Vocatae refers to a legal concept in Roman law. It describes the act of summoning or calling someone to appear in court. This summoning was a formal procedure that initiated legal proceedings. The person being summoned was known as the "vocatus." The vocatae was an essential step for the plaintiff to bring the defendant before the judge. Without a proper vocatae, a trial could not proceed. The process involved specific legal formalities to ensure the defendant was duly notified and had an opportunity to respond to the allegations. This concept highlights the procedural nature of Roman legal systems and the importance of due process, even in ancient times. It laid the groundwork for how legal summons are understood and implemented in many modern legal systems, emphasizing the requirement for formal notification before legal action can be taken.