a notice to appear in court is a notice sent to the procuratorate, witnesses, experts, inspectors, defenders and litigation agents.
A summons to appear in court is a pre-notice to appear in court, a written notice issued at the beginning of a court procedure and lawsuit, and a voucher to summon the relevant personnel to appear in court.
Legal basis: "China People * * * * and the State Criminal Procedure Law"
Article 151 The people's court shall do the following work when it decides to hold a hearing:
(1) Determine the members of the collegial panel;
(2) serve a copy of the indictment of the people's procuratorate on the defendant ten days before the court session at the latest. If the defendant has not appointed a defender, he shall be informed that he can appoint a defender, and if necessary, he may also appoint a lawyer who undertakes the obligation of legal aid to defend him;
(3) Inform the people's procuratorate of the time and place of the court session at least three days before the court session;
(4) Summon the parties concerned and notify the defendants, prosecutors, witnesses, expert witnesses and translators, and the summons and notice shall be delivered at least three days before the court session;
(5) For cases tried in public, the cause of action, the name of the defendant, the time and place of the hearing shall be announced three days before the hearing.