witness summons

[jbarns]

My brother is currently going through a messy custody battle with his ex partner. We had a difficult childhood and suffered emotional abuse and neglect. My brother had started to deal with some of these issues but has recently started seeing our parents again and leaving the children with them. I had concerns about the childrens well being which were also being picked up by the CAFCASS officer at the time and as my brother refused to acknowledge these issues I put a statement into to the courts outlining my concerns. I did this in order to highlight the issue so that the professionals involved would look into it and identify if there are any current issues or risk to the children. I have had no contact with our parents now for 10 years so I have no idea if there are any current risks but I couldn't rest at the thought that there might be and I had done nothing. I have now discovered that my brother's ex will be sending me a court summons. I have been in counselling for a long time to get over my childhood and I cannot face the family in court. I have been a mess since finding out that this is a possibility and theres just no way psychologically I can do it. Also I have already given all the evidence I have in my statement as I have no idea what has gone on for the past 10 years or if there are infact any current risks. The additional pressure is that I have been told my evidence may result in my brother loosing custody completely. Is there anything anyway to get out of the court summons and what would the penalty be likely to be for not showing up?

[tonywiltshire]

If you do receive a subpoena or witness summons do not just ignore it or you may find you are in contempt of court.
If you have medical reasons why you should not appear in court ask your doctor to write and explain why it may be harmful for you to attend and submit this to the court with a letter of hardship.
Again I say do not ignore it and just not turn up.