Family Law Report and Supoena

Hannaho

Just some advice. I wrote a welfare report for a very difficult family law case about 3 years ago. I attended as an expert witness then and again 18 months ago. I never received payment for my attendance. I was then asked to write another report. I got paid for the reports. The case was extremely difficult. The reports took on far more than a standard report would do, and the work grew as I was doing them, so complicated was the case. The content of the case was very distressing and impacted my own health in terms of the stress involved. Now again, I'm being asked to give evidence on my report which was two years ago. I agreed to attend on one of the days that the hearing is on, but now I have been suponeaed to attend on all 4 days. I work in a regular job, so I cannot take 3 days off, and I cannot afford to lose pay to attend. I am also apparently not being paid to attend the Court as an 'expert witness.' I explained to the solicitor that due to this I can attend on one day only, and gave her the date. I wrote back to the Family Court Office by registered post and email, explaining this. The solicitor is threatening me now with contempt of Court. I have also asked the Court to be excused from any further input into this case, as I am emigrating. This all erupted this evening. I would welcome any common sense advice on it.