The New Jersey Summons in a Civil Case (AO 440) is a court document issued by a court when a plaintiff has initiated a civil lawsuit against a defendant. It is the initial document in a civil case that is served to the defendant and informs them of the lawsuit. It states the plaintiff's claims and gives the defendant a chance to respond and defend themselves. Furthermore, it also includes the date, time, and place of the initial court hearing. There are two types of New Jersey Summons in a Civil Case (AO 440): the Summons with Notice and the Summons and Complaint. The Summons with Notice is served along with a notice informing the defendant of the lawsuit, while the Summons and Complaint includes the complaint of the plaintiff and demands a response from the defendant. Both require the defendant to appear in court on the set date and time, and failure to do so may result in a default judgment against the defendant.