Praecipe Law and Legal Definition
Praecipe in Latin means ‘to Command’. Praecipe is a written motion or request seeking some court action especially a trial setting or an entry of judgment. At common law it is a writ ordering a defendant to do some act or to explain why inaction is appropriate.
Praecipes are governed by federal, state, and local laws, which vary by area.
The following is an example of a state statute dealing with praecipes:
§ 2303.11. Writs to issue on praecipe.
All writs and orders for provisional remedies, and process of every kind, shall be issued by the clerk of the court of common pleas; but before they are issued a praecipe shall be filed with the clerk demanding the same.
