scire facias

English

Etymology

Latin , literally "let them know".

Noun

scire facias (plural scire faciases)

1. (law) A judicial writ directing the sheriff to make the record known to a specified party, and requiring that defendant to show cause why the party bringing the writ should not be able to cite that record in his own interest, or why, in the case of letters patent and grants, the patent or grant should not be annulled and vacated.
   • 1799, John Wentworth, A Complete System of Pleading:

     Scire facias against sheriff, who took more money of the vill for the expences of a knight to serve in parliamente than was assessed