1 The coming into a court to participate in a court proceeding by a party who has been validly served process or by a party who is voluntarily submitting itself to the court's jurisdiction. 2The coming into a court to participate in a court proceeding by a witness or an interested person or by a lawyer acting on behalf of a party or interested person. compulsory appearance. An appearance by one who is required to do so because he has been validly served with process. entry of appearance. The ...