What format should a witness statement be in UK courts?

Under the Civil Procedure Rules, witness statements should be typed in a standard font (such as Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt), with numbered paragraphs, 1.5 or double line spacing, and margins of at least 3.5cm. Pages should be numbered and the statement should be in the first person.

Can I write my own witness statement?

Yes, you can write your own witness statement. It must be in your own words and cover the relevant facts you have personal knowledge of. However, it must comply with court formatting requirements and include a statement of truth signed by you.

How to Write a Witness Statement for UK Courts

Q: What is a statement of truth?

A statement of truth is a declaration at the end of your witness statement confirming that you believe the facts stated are true. The standard wording is: 'I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.'

Last updated: January 2025 · 12 minute read

A witness statement is a written account of the facts and events you have witnessed that are relevant to a court case. It's one of the most important documents in civil litigation, and getting it right can significantly affect the outcome of your case.

This guide explains how to prepare a witness statement that meets the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and presents your evidence clearly and persuasively.

What Is a Witness Statement?

A witness statement is a formal document that sets out the evidence you can give about a case. Unlike verbal testimony, it's prepared in advance, signed, and served on the other parties before trial. At the hearing, your witness statement usually stands as your evidence-in-chief, meaning you won't need to repeat everything — you'll simply confirm it's true and then may be cross-examined on it.

Witness statements must comply with Practice Direction 32, which sets out specific requirements for format and content.

Formatting Requirements

Under the Civil Procedure Rules, witness statements must:

Be typed (not handwritten) if possible
Be on A4 paper with a 3.5cm margin
Be fully legible and in a minimum 12-point font
Have numbered paragraphs
Show the page number and total pages on each page
Be bound securely (if longer than one page)

Heading

The statement should begin with a heading that identifies the case, including:

The court and claim number
The names of the parties
Your name and which party's witness you are
The number of the statement (if you've made more than one)
The date

IN THE COUNTY COURT AT [LOCATION] CLAIM NO: [NUMBER] BETWEEN: [CLAIMANT NAME] Claimant - and - [DEFENDANT NAME] Defendant WITNESS STATEMENT OF [YOUR FULL NAME] First Statement Dated: [DATE]

Structure of a Witness Statement

Opening Paragraph

Begin by introducing yourself. State your full name, address (this can be your solicitor's address or a business address if there are safety concerns), and your relationship to the case.

1. I, [FULL NAME], of [ADDRESS], make this statement in support of the Claimant's case. The facts set out in this statement are within my own knowledge and are true. Where I refer to information provided by others, I identify the source and believe it to be true.

Background and Context

Provide relevant background that helps the court understand your evidence. This might include your occupation, how you know the parties, or how you came to witness the events.

The Facts

This is the main body of your statement. Set out the events you witnessed in chronological order, with as much relevant detail as you can remember. Be specific about dates, times, and locations where possible.

Each significant fact or event should have its own numbered paragraph. This makes it easier for the court and other parties to refer to specific parts of your evidence.

Tip: Use simple, clear language. Write as if you're explaining the situation to someone who knows nothing about it. Avoid jargon, abbreviations, or assumptions about what the reader already knows.

Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

Witness statements should focus on facts — what you personally saw, heard, or did. However, there are limited circumstances where you can include your opinion:

Where it's a matter of common knowledge (e.g., "the road surface appeared wet")
Where it's based directly on what you perceived (e.g., "she seemed distressed")

You should clearly distinguish between what you directly witnessed and what you were told by others (hearsay). If including hearsay, state who told you and when.

Exhibits and Documents

If you're referring to documents, photographs, or other evidence, these should be attached as "exhibits" to your statement. Each exhibit should be given a reference (e.g., "Exhibit AB1" using your initials) and referred to in the text.

15. I took photographs of the damage to my vehicle on the same day. These are exhibited at Exhibit [INITIALS]1.

The Statement of Truth

Every witness statement must end with a statement of truth, which you must sign. This confirms that you believe the facts stated are true. Making a false statement is a contempt of court.

The standard wording is:

STATEMENT OF TRUTH I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth. Signed: _______________________ Full name: [YOUR FULL NAME] Dated: [DATE]

Important: Never sign a statement of truth unless you genuinely believe everything in the statement is accurate. If you're unsure about any detail, say so in the statement (e.g., "I believe the meeting was in March, though I cannot recall the exact date").

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being vague. Statements like "it was around that time" or "things got heated" don't help. Be as specific as you can: "At approximately 2:30pm" or "he raised his voice and pointed his finger at me."

Including irrelevant information. Stick to facts that matter to the case. Background context is useful, but don't include your life story.

Arguing the case. Your job is to state facts, not to argue why the court should decide in your favour. Leave legal arguments to submissions.

Exaggerating or speculating. Courts are experienced at detecting exaggeration. Stick to what you actually know and remember. If you're uncertain, say so.

Forgetting the formalities. Missing the statement of truth or incorrect formatting can result in the statement being rejected. Check the requirements carefully.

Tips for a Strong Witness Statement

Write soon after events. Memories fade. If you're involved in a dispute, write down what happened as soon as possible, even if formal proceedings haven't started.

Be honest about weaknesses. If there are aspects of the case that don't favour your side, it's better to address them honestly than to have them exposed in cross-examination.

Use plain English. Don't try to sound "legal." Clear, straightforward language is more persuasive than elaborate phrasing.

Review and check. Before signing, read through carefully. Check dates, names, and facts. Make sure everything is accurate.

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