What to do if you receive a court summons in Spain

Read the entire notice before deciding

Find the court, case reference, date, time and address. Check whether you are called as a person under investigation, defendant, witness, injured party or in another role. The case may be civil, family, employment or criminal: different summonses require different preparation.

What to do today

Keep every page, the envelope or delivery record and any attachments. Note when it arrived and what action is requested. Mention an imminent date when seeking advice. Do not ignore the notice or assume that a telephone call or a booked consultation suspends attendance.

Legal assistance and the competent court

If a criminal summons names you as a person under investigation or a defendant, arrange your defence before giving a statement. Required legal assistance and representation depend on the procedure and your role. Follow the court details on the notice: the building name or subject alone does not identify the competent unit. If authenticity is uncertain, verify details through an official court contact.

Prepare a useful consultation

Bring the complete summons, identification and a brief timeline. Separate what you witnessed from what others told you; preserve original messages without editing them. Ask what is missing, whether a lawyer or court representative is required and how to document a genuine inability to attend. A consultation reviews your situation; it does not guarantee a changed hearing date.

Related legal concept

Court summons

Official sources

• Ley de Enjuiciamiento Criminal, arts. 118 y 175 · BOE (opens a new tab)
• Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil, arts. 149 y 152 · BOE (opens a new tab)

Official Spanish legislation consulted on 3 November 2026. The English text explains Spanish law; it is not an official translation.