Can another person represent me at a small claims hearing?

[LondonMummer]

Let me start by saying I assume the answer to this is a clear no but thought it worth checking.

I'm taking a business to the small claims court and was assigned a remote hearing date which is in a couple of weeks.

The business I work for has just been taken over and the new owners have told me I must be present for a critical meeting which clashes with the hearing date. The work meeting cannot be moved.

I've filled out an N244 form to see if there's any chance of the hearing being postponed but if not can a family member represent me at the hearing so I can attend the work meeting?

As I say I'm assuming the answer to this is a definite no but thought I'd ask here in case anyone with expertise can give me a definitive answer.

No, a family member cannot represent you.

If you cannot attend, your only option is to ask the court to deal with the claim in your absence based on the documents you have submitted. You must do so at least 7 days before the hearing. When writing to the court, you must confirm that you have also written to the defendant and that you have served on the defendant any documents you have filed with the court.