Summonses or citations should not be granted before it is expressed on what ground they ought to be issued.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) No summons or citation should issue without a stated ground — the court must know the basis of the claim before compelling a party to appear.

Where this applies

• A judge refuses to issue a summons for a lawsuit that does not state what the defendant allegedly did wrong.
• A court rejects a citation because the complaint fails to specify the legal basis for the claim — you cannot drag someone into court without saying why.
• A subpoena is quashed because the requesting party never explained the grounds justifying the compelled appearance.