Last year when I was down in Cornwall I witnessed an accident between a motorcycle and a tractor. Me thinking that I would be a good person went and gave my name and number to the motorbike rider. Bloody stupid thing to have done!
Recently I have had to go twice to Exeter Court as witness to the Civil claim by the Insurance company, thought it was for the benefit to the rider. This is a round trip for me of approx 800 miles each time. I got summonsed to appear for the second time because the other witness never turned up for the first. I claimed for the petrol expenses and hotel bill for the first one, which was £150, I got paid that one alright but for the second trial I got £80 all in. My petrol costs alone were more than this! I had taken a day off work for both of these Court dates, luckily I had spare holidays to use. If I hadn't I would have been out of pocket for loss of earnings aswell, the solicitor acting on behalf of the insurance company/rider never asked me about the time off and there wasn't time to mention it before the case due to them not appearing until a few minutes before it started. The witness who never appeared the first time never appeared the second either even though he had been summonsed but his testimony still stood!
I bet the solicitors and the Judge weren't out of pocket for their trip to the Court.
Morale of the Story. Unless it is someone you know or are very determined to see it through NEVER be a witness because all its going to do is cost you time, hassle and money. Of course there are things that being a witness is paramount no matter how much it costs and inconvenience it causes but think long and hard before doing your civil duty.
p.s Don't ask me to be your witness as I am pathetic at it!
Recently I have had to go twice to Exeter Court as witness to the Civil claim by the Insurance company, thought it was for the benefit to the rider. This is a round trip for me of approx 800 miles each time. I got summonsed to appear for the second time because the other witness never turned up for the first. I claimed for the petrol expenses and hotel bill for the first one, which was £150, I got paid that one alright but for the second trial I got £80 all in. My petrol costs alone were more than this! I had taken a day off work for both of these Court dates, luckily I had spare holidays to use. If I hadn't I would have been out of pocket for loss of earnings aswell, the solicitor acting on behalf of the insurance company/rider never asked me about the time off and there wasn't time to mention it before the case due to them not appearing until a few minutes before it started. The witness who never appeared the first time never appeared the second either even though he had been summonsed but his testimony still stood!
I bet the solicitors and the Judge weren't out of pocket for their trip to the Court.
Morale of the Story. Unless it is someone you know or are very determined to see it through NEVER be a witness because all its going to do is cost you time, hassle and money. Of course there are things that being a witness is paramount no matter how much it costs and inconvenience it causes but think long and hard before doing your civil duty.
p.s Don't ask me to be your witness as I am pathetic at it!
