T. WATKINS LIGON, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

139

CHAPTER 112.

AN ACT to Simplify the Rules and Forms of Plead-
ings and Practice in the Courts of Law.

CHAPTER 1ST.

—

TITLE FIRST.
OF ORIGINAL WRITS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,

as follows :

Passed Mar.
6, 1856.

1. All personal actions, except Replevin, brought
in any Court of Law in this State, shall be commen-
ced by writ of summons; and the said writ shall be
issued by the clerks of the said courts respectively,
directed to the Sheriff or other proper officer.

Personal ac-
tions, except
replevin,

2. It shall not be necessary to mention any form
or cause of action in any writ of summons.

Not necessary.

3. Every writ of summons shall contain the name
or names of the plaintiff or plaintiffs, and of the de-
fendant or defendants; and shall state the day and
the place when and where the defendant or defend-
ants is or are to appear to answer the action; and
shall bear date on the day on which the same shall be
issued; and shall be tested in the name of the Judge
of the Court from which it shall issue; and shall be
signed, and sealed with the seal of the Court, by the
Clerk thereof.

Shall contain
the name or
names.

4. The writ of summons shall be in the following
form :
" ———— County (or City) to wit :
State of Maryland to the Sheriff (or other proper
officer) of ———— greeting :
You are hereby commanded to summon (here in-
sert (he name or names of the defendant or defend-
ants) of ———— (county or city) to appear before
the (here insert the name of the court) to be held at
(here insert the name of the place) in and for (here
insert the name of the county or city) on the ————
day of ———— next, to answer an action at the suit
of (here insert the name of the plaintiff or plain-
tiffs.)
And have you then, and there, this writ. Wit-

Form of sum-
mons.