huissier de justice

English

Etymology

From French huissier de justice (“justice usher, court usher”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /wis.jeɪ də ʒus.tis/

Noun

huissier de justice (plural huissiers de justice)

1. (law) An officer of the court in several European countries who serves processes and notices, seizes and auctions off property, and executes garnishments, levies, and evictions, roughly similar to British bailiffs or private constables in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Usage notes

The Union Internationale des Huissiers de Justice prefers the term judicial officer, but this term is not actually used by English-speakers who prefer instead the inexact bailiff or the French huissier de justice.

Synonyms

• (loosely) bailiff, notary, notary public, process server

French

Etymology

Coined to distinguish this role from other senses of huissier (“usher”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɥi.sje d(ə) ʒys.tis/

• Audio

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Noun

huissier de justice m (plural huissiers de justice)

1. (law) huissier de justice; collector

   Synonym: huissier