What is a notice that informs a defendant of a complaint and response time called?

A notice that informs a defendant of a complaint and the time they have to respond is called a summons. The purpose of a summons is to notify the defendant that legal action has commenced against them and to outline the steps they must take to respond to the complaint within a specified timeframe. This is a critical part of the legal process as it ensures that the defendant is made aware of the claims against them and has the opportunity to defend themselves.

The term 'complaint' refers to the formal legal document outlining the plaintiff's claims against the defendant but does not serve as the notification mechanism itself. An 'order' is a direction issued by a judge or court that mandates a party to take or refrain from specific actions, but it does not serve the function of notifying a defendant about a complaint. 'Notification' is a general term that might apply to various contexts but lacks the specific legal implications and procedures associated with a summons.