Our legal people advise, “You have to attend in person or appoint a lawyer. If you attend in person you can be accompanied by another person who can act in advisory category - commonly known as a McKenzie Friend. Only if a person is suffering from a mental incapacity (or is a minor) can their interests be solely represented by a third party - as a Litigation Friend. If you are unable to attend court for reason such as illness then the court will usually attempt to make some accommodation as to dates but if you just don't want to turn up the most likely outcome is (eventually) judgment to be entered for the other side.”