A judicial writ based on some record and requiring the party against whom it is brought to show cause why the record should not be enforced or annulled WordNet 3.0 & Open English WordNet

In English law, a writ of scire facias is a writ founded upon some judicial record directing the sheriff to make the record known to a specified party, and requiring the defendant to show cause why the party bringing the writ should not be able to cite that record in his own interest, or formerly why, in the case of letters patent and grants, the patent or grant should not be annulled and vacated. Wikipedia

type of writ in English law Wikidata

A judicial writ directing the sheriff to make the record known to a specified party, and requiring that defendant to show cause why the party bringing the writ should not be able to cite that record in his own interest, or why, in the case of letters patent and grants, the patent or grant should not be annulled and vacated. Wiktionary