Jack Keating, Staff Reporter The Province

Sarah McLachlan has left the building.

And the dozens of fans who lined up to see her perform and testify were also gone when the B.C. Supreme Court civil trial over songwriting credit resumed yesterday after five days of testimony by the superstar singer.

"There's no reason to be here. There's no crowds, no lineup," said a sheriff who had been checking bags for recorders that could have been used to tape the singer.

McLachlan, who had been in court for every day of the five-week trial, did not show up yesterday and is not expected back.

"There's no need for her to be here," said her manager Terry McBride. "She heard all of the (plaintiff's) evidence and she gave her evidence. She's heard everybody that she needs to hear.

"Now that there's no more performances and Sarah's not on the stand any more," there's no reason for the fans to show up, either.

McLachlan, who would sign autographs and greeted fans warmly in the hallways, played guitar and keyboards and sang parts of songs on three days to demonstrate musical points, much to the delight of the packed courtroom.

There were only three spectators and two reporters in court yesterday as Touch producer Greg Reely went over technical details of his work on McLachlan's 1988 debut CD.

Darryl Neudorf, who is credited with pre-production co-ordination and production assistance on the Touch liner notes, claims he co-produced the CD, which sold more than 625,000 copies.

Neudorf is suing McLachlan and Vancouver-based Nettwerk Productions for songwriting credit on four songs on Touch and for copyright infringement and a share of royalties.

"He was definitely assisting me." said Reely of Neudorf's role. "I had the final decision on all performances and refinement of parts and Darryl's role to a large part was as an assistant to me. He didn't have the final say and to me that was a big distinction."

Reely said he was in the control room for "90 per cent or more" of the time that Touch was being recorded at Limited Vision Studios on Homer Street.

Reely said Neudorf's note taking "was very thorough and very organized" during his time on the project from January to April 1988.

The hearing continues today.