scire facias

[ sahy-ree fey-shee-as; Latin skee-re fah-kee-ahs ]

noun

, Law.

1. a writ requiring the party against whom it is brought to show cause why a judgment, letters patent, etc., should not be executed, vacated, or annulled.
2. a judicial proceeding initiated by such a writ.

scire facias

/ ˈsaɪərɪ ˈfeɪʃɪˌæs /

noun

1. a judicial writ founded upon some record, such as a judgment, letters patent, etc, requiring the person against whom it is brought to show cause why the record should not be enforced or annulled
2. a proceeding begun by the issue of such a writ

Word History and Origins

Origin of scire facias¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin scīre faciās literally, make (him) know

Word History and Origins

Origin of scire facias¹

C15: from legal Latin, literally: cause (him) to know

Example Sentences

One was to have the Provost’s patent voided by a scire facias, and the other was to deprive him of all power, authority, or revenue in the college, during his life.

From Project Gutenberg

They ordered the attorney general to take out a scire facias against it, and appointed Francis Nicholson provisional governor of the province under the King.

From Project Gutenberg

It was intended that the power to issue a scire facias and remove the deposits be real and effective.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile, for technical reasons, the quo warranto had been abandoned, and a writ of scire facias had been issued out of chancery.

From Project Gutenberg

The power of displacing the public directors and that of issuing a scire facias and of removing the deposits were not intended to be idle and nugatory provisions without the means of enforcement.

From Project Gutenberg