Hi there. A person can be required by law to appear in a court or produce certain documents to a court. This is usually because the person can provide information that is needed in a court proceeding. There are two ways a person can be ordered before a court.

One is through a ‘subpoena’. This is a legal document issued by the District Court or Supreme Court served on a person who must attend court to provide information or certain documents. The person can object to attending court on specific and limited grounds.

Another option is via a ‘summons’. This is a document issued by the Magistrates’ Court and also requires a person to attend court to provide information or documents. The Magistrates’ Court is a lower court than the District Court and Supreme Court and therefore hears smaller matters.

In Queensland, the relevant procedural rules are set out in the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld).

Suggested way forward

If you think you will be ordered to attend court, or you have received a subpoena or summons, you may want to speak to a lawyer about your rights and obligations. These are important legal documents that should not be ignored. By pressing the “Consult a Lawyer” button, LawAdvisor can help you search for experienced lawyers and obtain fee proposals for their services. Costs for legal advice and representation will vary between providers based on experience and the scope of services.