Do I need to attend court even though I've left the job it relates to?

[spf91]

The company I work for received a personal injury claim some time ago relating to a member of staff that I managed. There seems to be a chance the claim will go to court sometime next spring and my employer decided I should be available for any potential court case as I have the most background knowledge of the incident and was the manager at the time the incident occurred (although it wasn't my fault, the company has said I wasn't to blame and I wasn't on site that day). However, I will be leaving the company at the end of the month. If the claim does end up going to court can I be compelled to go? I really don't want to and in all honesty I think the member of staff involved was probably negligent in his actions and the claimant has a good case. What should I do if the company asks me to go?

[echat11]

Hi SPF91

What you could do is tell them you are willing to provide a Witness Statement, but are reluctant to attend court as you weren't there on the actual day of the incident.

I'm sure other members will advise.

des8 Can you take a look and advise. Many thanks.

[des8]

Hi, you can refuse to be a witness and you cannot be compelled to attend.

If you give a written witness statement but decline to attend court, the statement may be admitted as hearsay evidence

[islandgirl]

In the criminal court a witness can be summoned. I assume it is different in this type of case?

[des8]

Wasn't quite accurate in above post as under CPR34 either party can apply for a summons to be issued, but this generally leads to having a hostile witness so can have unintended consequences.
A summons can be resisted..

[islandgirl]

Yes indeed I have seen quite a few hostile witnesses!