What must the addressee do upon receiving a subpoena?

Upon receiving a subpoena, the addressee is generally required to comply with the demands set forth in the document unless they have a valid exemption. This requirement is based on the principle that subpoenas are legally binding orders that compel an individual or organization to produce evidence or testimony relevant to a legal proceeding.

In many jurisdictions, including New South Wales, failing to comply with a subpoena can lead to legal penalties, including contempt of court. Thus, unless the addressee can demonstrate a legitimate reason for not complying—such as a legal privilege, the subpoena being overly broad, or other statutory exemptions—the expectation is to adhere to the instructions contained within the subpoena.

Reviewing the subpoena with legal counsel may be prudent to ensure proper understanding and compliance, but the central duty remains to comply unless exempted, which clarifies why choosing to comply in the absence of a valid objection is the correct answer.