Witness statement: example (with drafting notes)

by Practical Law Dispute Resolution

<lang val="">A standard document providing a pro forma witness statement for use in interim hearings and at trial in civil proceedings. This standard document sets out the essential requirements for the form and content of a witness statement, ensuring compliance with Practice Direction (PD) 32 and the broader Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). It addresses crucial components including the correct heading, the main body of the evidence, the proper use of exhibits, and the mandatory statement of truth, which must confirm the witness understands the risk of contempt of court proceedings for making a false statement. The accompanying drafting notes offer valuable guidance on the specific rules for witness evidence in various courts, such as the King's Bench Division (KBD), the Commercial Court, and the Chancery Division. </lang> Note that in the case of a trial witness statement in the Business and Property Courts (B&PCs), which is signed on or after 6 April 2021, the statement must comply with the additional requirements set out in Practice Direction (PD) 57AC and the accompanying Appendix, unless it is being prepared in one of the types of proceedings listed in PD 57AC.1.3. For more information, see: Practice note, Requirements for trial witness statements in B&PCs under Practice Direction 57AC, Standard document, Trial witness statement under PD 57AC: example (with drafting notes) and Standard document, Letter to witness explaining purpose and content of their trial witness statement and proper process for its preparation, as required by PD 57AC.