This practice note describes the procedure for issuing and serving a witness summons requiring a person to attend court to provide oral evidence, outlines the limited circumstances in which the court's permission is required, and considers the amount that should be paid or offered to the witness. It also considers the grounds on which an application to vary or set aside a witness summons might be made and sets out the potential repercussions if a witness does not comply with a witness summons.

Regarding witness summaries, the note sets out the procedural rules on their form and content and on serving a witness summary and considers the requirements for obtaining permission to serve a witness summary, as described in case law.