Notice
Notice (legal definition): Information about a fact, a claim or a proceeding. Actual notice is knowledge a person actually has; constructive notice is knowledge the law treats a person as having, for example from a properly recorded document. Due process requires notice reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to inform interested parties of a proceeding and give them an opportunity to object (Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 314 (1950)). A "notice" is also a type of court filing.
What notice means
Put simply, notice definition is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where notice definition comes up
For example, the term appears in these procedures:
- Notice (Court Filing) (Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(a)(1)(E)): a short filing that formally informs the court and the other parties of a fact, an event or an action — for example a notice of motion, notice of hearing, notice of appearance, notice of change of address, notice of related case or notice of voluntary dismissal.
- Summons and Service of Process (Fed. R. Civ. P. 4): the formal way a defendant is notified of a lawsuit. The plaintiff must serve the summons together with a copy of the complaint (Rule 4(c)(1)).
How to research the term
To research notice definition, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the official rule text online for free.
Related legal terms
- Hearing: a proceeding before a judge or other judicial officer to consider a motion, a request or another matter.
- Summons: a court-issued document that notifies a defendant of a lawsuit and the time to respond. It is served with the complaint.
- Service of process: formally delivering the summons and complaint to a defendant in a way the rules allow.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.