Adrian Humphreys National Post

Sarah McLachlan fans may one day hear the results of the singer's civil trial on a compact disc.

The three-week-old court case, which has called into question her songwriting abilities, may well give rise to "a few songs" in the future, Ms. McLachlan said outside the British Columbia Supreme Court yesterday.

Ms. McLachlan is expected to testify this week in her own defence against allegations contained in a lawsuit by Darryl Neudorf, 34, a Vancouver producer and former drummer with the band 54-40. He is seeking greater credit and compensation he says he is entitled to for helping write and produce her 1988 debut album, Touch.

Yesterday, it was her lawyer, Jennifer Conkie, who defended Ms. McLachlan in court.

During cross-examination of Mr. Neudorf, Ms. Conkie pressed for specifics on his contributions to four songs he contends he co-wrote.

In many instances he had difficulty naming exact notes or arrangements he provided, but staunchly maintained he helped mould the material in rigorous creative sessions with Ms. McLachlan. He spoke of picking out portions of her "meandering" musical ideas and suggesting changes.

Fans of Ms. McLachlan who sat in the courtroom's public gallery snickered when Ms. Conkie asked questions belittling Mr. Neudorf's contributions.

"So when Ms. McLachlan changes the melody it is embellishment but when you change it is a whole new melody," Ms Conkie said.

She said his description of his contributions amounted to pointing out which ideas of Ms. McLachlan's were better than others she had.

"As long as someone else is in the room and says 'that's great,' then they're a co-author?" she asked.

"Not always," Mr. Neudorf replied, "It depends on the situation."