Basically i attened a job in june 2011 and have always been told i wouldn't need to attend court.

Though this afternoon i get a phonecall from the crown court stating they've changed their mind and now want me to attend in 10 days time.

Surely there must be more notice given for that then 10 days ??

I'm on annual leave as of next week, and the day they want me to attend is my misses birthday and i've booked (and paid for) a weekend away so we're not even in the area.
Plus i go to so many jobs every shift and see so many patients i can't even remember jobs i did earlier this month, let alone over a bloody year ago!

Can you just tell court no i can't attend that day or have they got powers to make you ?

It's a manslaughter case, but i was not first on scene so i don't really see the point in it anyway as my collegue who was first on scene (and knows/saw more) is already attending, and from the moment i got there i was litterly by his side around the patient all the time, so i won't be able to tell them anymore then he can.

I don't mind attending court and helping out, but i do want a bit more notice then just over week, specially as i've got loads of stuff booked.

I've been told I need to give evidence, they've told me the day the trial starts, and that I may be required at any time after that and that they'll give me one day notice... not great when our service policy is that a manager accompanies any staff called to give evidence!

Leaving aside my astonishment that someone so apparently illiterate can hold down what I infer to be a public sector job; yes, you can be compelled by the court to attend to give evidence. You can point out your personal difficulties and see if they can be accommodated, by, for example, your evidence being slotted in at a time that does not too greatly interfere with your personal arrangements, but, ultimately, the public interest prevails over the private.

I wish they'd give me as much as 10 days notice sometimes. It has been down to 18 hours on occasion.

He is a grammar fiend.

Seriously though chap, whilst the Sunblestconveyor was more than a tad sharp in his comment, may I pose this question?

If you had to submit a written report or letter in connection with your employment, would you approve it for transmission with that standard of grammar, spelling, punctuation and seemingly random use of capital letters? It does not leave the reader with a very good impression.

HHTH. note: NOT having a poke, but friendly observation.

I think the root may also have been towards your feeling that a nice birthday day out is more important than giving evidence (that you agreed to give when you gave a statement) at a trial where someone stands a chance of being imprisoned. It might be being suggested that the evidence your friend gave is unreliable, and you are required to corroborate it, for example.

People have been imprisoned for failing to attend court. The norm is, however, that the police will arrest you and take you to court. I've known a couple of cases where we've been informed an arrest is to be made via a crown court order from another force area.

Witnesses have also been imprisoned for failing to answer questions put to them. Indeed I remember one victim being imprisoned.

IIRC Medic-One is Dutch - so the grammar 'jibe' is a low-blow.....

If I had a holiday booked and paid for and was given 10 days notice (after being told I wasnt needed) i'm afraid i'd be on the plane and gone.

Good luck getting it sorted, id probably avoid answering the phone and opening any mail in the next few days.

It is unfortunate. Call the court and speak to them about the situation and ask for their help. Some will go out of their way to help you, others will not. You may get lucky.