Peter, I once won a case as counsel without turning up. I was very junior, and I couldn't find the room for the hearing in the High Court. When I eventually did find it, I asked about the case only to be told that it had finished. So, I asked, tremulously, what had happened and "Didn't the Master say anything about my absence?". The answer was "He said to your opponent 'I am not surprised Mr Puli has not turned up. Seeing the state of your case, he probably didn't think it worth bothering!'" and proceeded to make all the orders that I wanted, plus one I wouldn't have thought to ask for. That left the problem of endorsing and signing the brief. what to put? I recorded the result "Coram [before] the Master, listed the orders "ordered..." adding to those orders "in absentia puli [but using a Latinisation of my real name]". My solicitor remarked on the good result, saying he'd not heard of a 'puli order' before. I told him that was only occasionally used, but was regarded as somewhat cosmetic.
Elley , I do not recommend absence in your case. Let's just say that it is reserved for incompetent professionals ! Nobody else should risk it !