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Are you concerned about making a mistake on a witness statement? Don’t worry. Our solicitors are here to guide you through the process. This recent article outlines how you can write your statement in four simple stages.
If you need support with writing your statement, please contact one of our solicitors on 020 3007 5500.
What is a witness statement?
A witness statement is a signed document that records the evidence of a witness. The court may use the witness’ evidence to support a party’s case.
When you write a statement, you sign a statement of truth. In a circumstance where you knowingly provide a false statement and sign the statement of truth, the court can hold you in contempt of court. Contempt of court is a serious offence, and the punishment can be a fine and up to two years imprisonment.
How to write a witness statement?
Writing a witness statement can be daunting as you want to ensure it’s written correctly. Therefore, our solicitors have broken the process down into four easy to follow stages.
Stage 1: Complete the header
Firstly, the document must be headered ‘witness statement’. Under this title, you should include the following details:
- An application number and, if applicable, the opposition/cancellation number
- The name of the applicant/proprietor that the application is looking to support
- The name of the defendant/applicant for cancellation (if applicable)
Stage 2: Who is making the statement?
When making a witness statement, the second stage is to include your details. The relevant details include your:
- Name
- Address (private or business address)
- Position in the company (if applicable)
- Company name (if applicable)
- Source of information. For example, personal knowledge, company records, or others.
Stage 3: Body of the statement
The body of the witness statement is the crucial stage. Here you will outline the evidence to support the application in court.
When writing a statement, you should provide any documentary evidence to support your statement. The statement must mention and clearly label the supporting evidence.
Stage 4: Statement of truth
The statement of truth is vitally important to the statement. In this section, you must include the words ‘I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true’.
Remember...
In a circumstance where you’ve knowingly made a false statement, the court can hold you in contempt of court. Contempt of court is punishable by up to two years imprisonment and a fine.
Witness statement example template:
How can Britton and Time Solicitors help?
Witness statements are so important, as they can profoundly impact the outcome of a court case. Therefore, if you’re concerned about making mistakes, don’t hesitate to contact a solicitor for assistance or draft the statement on your behalf. To discuss your legal matter with a solicitor we offer an initial consultation where you’ll receive:
- Unlimited time to go through the details of your case and ask any questions you may have
- An overview of your legal standpoint and your available options
- A precise time and fee estimate for your case
To arrange your initial consultation with one of our solicitors, simply call us on 020 3007 5500.
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