We receive a summons from a court, which states that we must appear at a hearing because someone has sued us. It seems clear that the person is not right. How seriously should we take the summons?
Very seriously. First of all, what is obvious to common sense is not necessarily so under the law. More importantly, however, if we fail to appear at the first hearing as the defendant and have not submitted a written defence, the judge may immediately order us to pay the claim in accordance with the court order. If we have appointed a legal representative and they attend the hearing, there is of course no failure to appear.