Legal Speak Made Easy

“Subpoena duces tecum”

This is a court order for the person named in it to produce a document or other form of physical evidence at a trial or hearing – literally it means “under threat of penalty, bring [specified] with you”.

If you should ever be presented with such a subpoena and have any doubt over whether you can comply, should comply, or have enough time to comply, ask your lawyer for advice as a matter of urgency – this is a serious document!