296.) PRELIMINARY TO TRIAL.
_Complaint and Summons._--In bringing a civil action, the plaintiff or his agent appears before the justice of the peace and files a Complaint.

In this he states the cause of the action.

The justice then issues a Summons.
This is an order to a sheriff or constable commanding him to notify the defendant to appear before the justice at a certain time and place to make answer to the plaintiff's demands.

(Form on p.

277.) Sometimes on bringing an action or during its progress a writ of attachment is obtained.