Form N20 Witness Summons UK: How It Works
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If a witness whose evidence you need will not attend court voluntarily, the courts of England and Wales give you a route to require their attendance through a formal summons. Form N20 is the court document used to do exactly that.
Once issued and properly served, it places a legal obligation on the named person to turn up at the hearing, either to give oral evidence, to produce specified documents, or both. This page walks through what Form N20 is for, who typically uses it, how it fits into civil proceedings, what needs to go on the form, and what the person receiving it should expect.
It is written for litigants in person, small business owners and anyone running a civil claim who wants to understand how witness summonses work in practice before deciding whether to apply for one.
What this document is
Form N20 is the standard court form used to issue a witness summons in civil proceedings in England and Wales. It is governed by Part 34 of the Civil Procedure Rules, which sets out when and how a party to a claim can require a witness to attend.
The form can be used for two main purposes: to compel a person to attend court and give oral evidence, or to compel them to produce specified documents to the court. In some cases a single summons does both. Either the claimant or the defendant can apply for one, and permission from the court is sometimes needed depending on the timing and the type of hearing.
Once the court has issued the sealed summons, the party who requested it is responsible for serving it on the witness in the manner required by the rules, together with a sum of money to cover reasonable travel costs and loss of time. A witness summons is a serious court order, not a polite request, and ignoring it can have real legal consequences.
How to use this document
- Decide whether a summons is genuinely needed. Before applying, consider whether the witness really will not attend voluntarily. Most people give evidence willingly once asked, so a summons is usually reserved for reluctant witnesses, neutral third parties such as record holders, or situations where a witness needs the formal cover of a court order to justify their absence from work.
- Complete Form N20 accurately. Fill in the court details, the claim number, the parties, and the full name and address of the witness. Specify the hearing the witness must attend, the date, time and location, and clearly state whether they are required to give evidence, produce documents, or both. If documents are required, describe them precisely enough that the witness knows exactly what to bring.
- File the form and pay the court fee. Submit the completed Form N20 to the court dealing with the claim and pay the current issue fee. Fees change from time to time, so check gov.uk for the amount that applies when you issue. The court will seal the summons and return it for you to serve, or in some cases may serve it itself.
- Serve the summons with conduct money. The summons must be served on the witness within the timescales set by the Civil Procedure Rules, and a sum of money must be offered at the same time to cover their travel to court and compensation for loss of time. If this conduct money is not tendered with the summons, the witness is not obliged to attend.
- Prepare for the hearing. Keep a record of when and how the summons was served, as you may need to prove service if the witness fails to appear. Make sure the witness knows where to go on the day, and be ready to explain to the court what their evidence will cover if any issue about their attendance arises.
Common questions
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Common questions
Q Who can apply for a witness summons on Form N20?
Any party to civil proceedings in England and Wales can apply, whether claimant or defendant, and whether legally represented or acting as a litigant in person. The application is made to the court dealing with the claim. In most straightforward cases the court will issue the summons without a hearing, although permission is required in certain situations such as summonses issued less than seven days before the hearing date.
Q What happens if a witness ignores a Form N20 summons?
Failing to comply with a properly issued and served witness summons is treated as contempt of court. The court has a range of powers to deal with this, which may include financial penalties or, in serious cases, committal proceedings. For this reason, witnesses who have genuine reasons why they cannot attend should contact the court office promptly rather than simply not turning up on the day.
Q Does the witness have to be paid to attend?
Yes. A witness summons is only effective if a sum is offered at the time of service to cover reasonable travel expenses and compensation for loss of time. The amounts are set by court rules and are not negotiable between the parties. Witnesses cannot usually claim more than the sum tendered, so the figure needs to be calculated correctly before the summons is served.
Q Can Form N20 be used to obtain documents as well as evidence?
Yes. The summons can require a witness to attend court to produce specified documents, to give oral evidence, or both. This is often used where documents are held by a third party who is not a party to the claim, such as a bank or employer. The documents requested must be identified with enough precision that the witness knows what they need to bring.
Q How far in advance must a witness summons be served?
Under the Civil Procedure Rules, a witness summons is generally binding only if served at least seven days before the date the witness is required to attend. Shorter notice is possible but usually requires specific permission from the court. Leaving it to the last minute risks the summons being ineffective, so it is sensible to plan service well ahead of the hearing.
Q Can a witness challenge or set aside a summons?
Yes. A witness who believes a summons has been issued improperly, for example because the evidence is not relevant, the request is oppressive, or the documents sought are privileged, can apply to the court to have it set aside or varied. The application should be made promptly. The court will weigh the importance of the evidence against the burden placed on the witness.
Q Is Form N20 used in the criminal courts?
No. Form N20 is a civil court form used in the County Court and High Court for civil claims. Witness summonses in criminal proceedings are dealt with under different rules and use different forms, typically issued by the magistrates' court or the Crown Court. If your matter is criminal, the process and paperwork will not be the same as described on this page.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovForm N20 Witness Summons (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSCivil Procedure Rules Part 34 – Witnesses, Depositions and Evidencejustice.gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovMake a court claim for money (gov.uk)gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure whether a witness summons is the right step?
Issuing a summons the wrong way, or at the wrong time, can waste a court fee and damage your case. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through whether Form N20 fits your situation and what to watch out for, based on what you describe on the call.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about Form N20
- Practical perspective on whether a witness summons suits your circumstances
- What to watch out for when completing and serving the form
- A clearer view of your next steps in the claim
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.