Legal Dictionary of Pakistan

summary proceeding

A nonjury proceeding that settles a controversy or disposes of a case in a relatively prompt and simple manner. -Also termed summary trial. Cf. plenary action under ACTION. "Summary proceedings were such as were directed by Act of Parliament, there was no jury, and the person accused was acquitted or sentenced only by such person as statute had appointed for his judge. The common law was wholly a stranger to summary proceedings." A.H. Manchester, Modern Legal History of England and Wales, 1750-1950 160 (1980).