

There are at least two ways that you can prove what you say. It will give you more credibility and make it harder to criticise what you say in your witness statement. What is clear is that you need to think through what you say your witness statement, and the corroboration that you can use to support what you say. Each witness statement will depend upon the circumstances in which is it is required. I don’t pretend that there is only one way to draft a witness statement. The conclusions and opinions that I come to below is sourced from a wide variety of disputes in civil proceedings. (We’ve been using 20 mm margins for years, and have never been criticised for it). More on this later under the heading, "Testing your Witness Statement".įormat wise, statements should be printed on a single side of A4 paper, and have a left margin of 35 mm. It should include all the evidence that you are able to give to assist the court decide the case. use numbered paragraphs so that different parts of it can be referred to quickly and easily.follow the chronological order of events.exhibit documentary evidence to support the statements made.not give opinions, unless you’re an expert.specify the source of the information or belief is not within your direct knowledge.state facts within your personal knowledge, and if not.be written in your own words, in the first person.If you are making a witness statements it should: Then we show how witness statements are tested and challenged.Ĭontents of witness statements Overview witness-statement-parts It's important to get right the first time (or as right as possible), because when they are signed, they're supported by a statement of truth. have the same general form in civil proceedings in England, whether they are used in disputes relating to contracts, work, car accidents, or disciplinary proceedings.
WITNESS STATEMENT EXAMPLE LETTER TRIAL
WITNESS STATEMENT EXAMPLE LETTER HOW TO
Structure your witness statements properly and cover what needs to be covered.īelow, we give some suggestions on how to prepare witness statements.

Getting it right the first time has other advantages.Īvoiding mistakes gets you into a position to focus on advancing your own case. They force you to take steps to defend what you say in court. Slip ups in witness statements make your life harder. When you have to make a witness statement for court, you can avoid slip-ups.
