269. Witnesses are called to attend at court by a subpoena issued by a judge, a court clerk acting on a party’s request or a lawyer.
They must be called at least 10 days before the time at which they are scheduled to attend at court, unless there are urgent circumstances and the judge or court clerk shortens the notification period. However, the notification period cannot be shortened to less than 24 hours. The decision to shorten the notification period must be recorded on the subpoena.
A witness who is confined in an institution governed by health services and social services legislation or held in a detention centre or a penitentiary is called to attend at court to testify by an order addressed to the director or the jailer by a judge or a court clerk.