term:

Mesne Process

mesne process n

[mesne intermediate, intervening, from Anglo-French, alteration of Old French meien middle, from Latin medianus, from medius middle]
: process (as a writ) issued in the course of a proceeding

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.