Legal analysis: The court summons and the notice to appear are different in terms of objects: the notice to appear is issued to the procuratorate, witnesses, appraisers, inspectors, defenders, and litigation agents. A summons to appear is a prior notice, a written notice issued by the court to the commencement of a specific procedure and litigation, and is used to summon persons related to the case to appear in court.
Legal basis: "Article 151 of the People's Court of China and the National Criminal Procedure Law" when the people's court decides to open a trial, it should do the following:
( 1) Determine the composition of the collegial panel (2) The People's Procuratorate shall serve the defendant with a copy of the indictment no later than ten days before the trial, and inform the defendant that he may appoint a defender, and may appoint a defender if necessary. Lawyers with legal aid obligations provide defense for them. (3) Notify the People’s Procuratorate of the time and place of the hearing three days before the hearing. (4) Summon the parties and notify the defendant. Name, court date and location