Witness Statement Template for the UK
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What is a Witness Statement?
A witness statement is a written, first-person account of what a person saw, heard or experienced, used as evidence in civil proceedings in England and Wales. To write one, set out the facts in numbered paragraphs, in chronological order and in your own words, then sign it under a statement of truth. It replaces giving that evidence verbally in court.
Courts rely on these statements in civil cases, from employment tribunals to contract disputes, to establish what happened and explain the facts to the judge. The format, content and signing requirements are set by the Civil Procedure Rules Part 32 and its accompanying Practice Direction, so a valid statement must follow them precisely.
Sample clauses: standard wording in a UK witness statement
2. Source of Knowledge and Documents Referred To
2.1 Except where I state otherwise, the facts set out in this statement are within my own knowledge and are true; where any matter is not within my own knowledge, I identify the source of my information or belief and I believe that matter to be true.
2.2 I make this statement from my own recollection of the events described, having refreshed my memory from the documents listed at paragraph [2.4] below, and I confirm that I have not been provided with a draft prepared by another person save as recorded in this statement.
2.3 Where I refer in this statement to a document, that document is contained in the exhibit marked "[JS1]", and references in the form "[JS1/page]" are to the page numbers of that exhibit.
2.4 This statement is made in the proceedings between [Claimant name] and [Defendant name], Claim No. [claim number], in the [County Court at [location]], for use at [the trial of these proceedings].
6. Statement of Truth
6.1 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.
6.2 I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true.
6.3 This statement is written in my own language, being [English], and I have read it in that language before signing it; where it has been prepared in a language other than my own, it has been interpreted to me by [name of interpreter] and the certificate required by paragraph 18.1 and 23.2 of Practice Direction 32 is attached.
6.4 Signed: [signature]; Full name: [witness full name]; Dated: [date].
Illustrative extract showing typical drafting under the law of England and Wales. Documents generated with GenieAI are tailored to your rules, standards and context.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you use a Witness Statement?
You need a Witness Statement when preserving crucial evidence for legal proceedings in England and Wales. Common situations include recording an employee's account of workplace misconduct, documenting a car accident while memories are fresh, or capturing key details about a contract dispute.
Time matters - collecting witness accounts early helps avoid forgotten details or changed stories later. Courts expect these statements for most civil cases, from small claims to high-value commercial disputes. Getting statements promptly from people who saw important events firsthand strengthens your legal position and often helps resolve matters before reaching trial.
What are the different types of Witness Statement?
- Letter Of Witness Statement: Standard format for general evidence, commonly used in civil disputes and workplace incidents
- Expert Witness Declaration: Specialised statement from qualified professionals providing technical or expert opinions
- Character Witness Letter For Court: Personal testimony about someone's reputation or character, often used in sentencing or family matters
- Declaration Of Witness: Formal sworn statement used in court proceedings, similar to an affidavit but without notarisation
- Character Witness Affidavit: Notarised character statement with greater legal weight, often required for serious court matters
Who should typically use a Witness Statement?
- Witnesses: People who directly observed events or have firsthand knowledge provide their accounts in Witness Statements, signing to confirm accuracy
- Solicitors: Draft and format statements to meet court requirements, guide witnesses through the process, and ensure legal compliance
- Legal Support Staff: Help prepare statements, gather supporting documents, and manage administrative aspects
- Court Officials: Review statements for procedural compliance and use them as evidence in proceedings
- Expert Witnesses: Qualified professionals who provide specialist opinions on technical matters in their field of expertise
- Statement Takers: Trained professionals who interview witnesses and help record their accounts accurately
How do you write a witness statement, step by step?
Follow these steps to write a witness statement that meets the Civil Procedure Rules for England and Wales:
- Basic details: Record the witness's full name, address, occupation, and their connection to the events
- Event timeline: Note exact dates, times, locations, and the sequence of events while memories are fresh
- Supporting evidence: Gather relevant documents, photos, or records that back up the statement, and refer to them as exhibits
- Clear structure: Write events in chronological order using numbered paragraphs, so each point is easy to find and cite
- Own words: Explain what you saw or heard plainly, without argument or opinion, and identify the source of anything not within your direct knowledge
- Statement of truth: Include the mandatory declaration confirming the account is true, then sign and date it
- Format check: GenieAI checks your statement against the Part 32 requirements as you draft
- Final review: Read through carefully to confirm every detail is accurate and complete before signing
A helpful tip: keep your language as simple and specific as possible, and only state what you genuinely witnessed. Vague wording weakens a statement, while a precise, dated account carries more weight. If you want to see how the finished wording reads, the sample clauses above give a worked example of the exact phrasing courts expect.
What should be included in a Witness Statement?
- Case Information: Court name, claim number, parties involved, and statement number in sequence
- Witness Details: Full name, occupation, work or home address, and relationship to the case
- Statement Numbering: Sequential paragraph numbers for easy reference during proceedings
- Core Content: Chronological account of events, using clear language and specific details
- Statement of Truth: Standard declaration confirming the contents are true to the best of knowledge
- Signature Block: Witness signature, name in print, and date of signing
- Exhibits: Referenced documents clearly marked and properly attached
- Format Compliance: Our platform ensures all Civil Procedure Rules requirements are met automatically
What's the difference between a Witness Statement and a Certification Statement?
A Witness Statement differs significantly from a Statement of Claim. While both are used in legal proceedings, they serve distinct purposes and have different requirements under English law.
- Purpose and Content: Witness Statements record factual observations and firsthand experiences, while Statements of Claim outline the legal basis of a case and what the claimant wants from the court
- Timing: Statements of Claim initiate proceedings and must be filed first, whereas Witness Statements typically come later as supporting evidence
- Format Requirements: Witness Statements need a statement of truth and numbered paragraphs, while Statements of Claim require specific court forms and particular legal elements
- Author: Witness Statements come from individuals with direct knowledge of events, but Statements of Claim are typically drafted by legal professionals
- Legal Effect: Witness Statements provide evidence to support a case, while Statements of Claim establish the legal framework and desired outcome
Why Trust GenieAI?
- 244,337 businesses have trusted GenieAI to draft 365,360 legal documents (and growing).
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- Vague or ambiguous wording is the single most common problem, at 14.6% of all issues raised.
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Source: GenieAI internal data Updated 6 hours ago
About the Witness Statement
Follow these steps to write a witness statement that meets the Civil Procedure Rules for England and Wales:
- Basic details: Record the witness's full name, address, occupation, and their connection to the events
- Event timeline: Note exact dates, times, locations, and the sequence of events while memories are fresh
- Supporting evidence: Gather relevant documents, photos, or records that back up the statement, and refer to them as exhibits
- Clear structure: Write events in chronological order using numbered paragraphs, so each point is easy to find and cite
- Own words: Explain what you saw or heard plainly, without argument or opinion, and identify the source of anything not within your direct knowledge
- Statement of truth: Include the mandatory declaration confirming the account is true, then sign and date it
- Format check: GenieAI checks your statement against the Part 32 requirements as you draft
- Final review: Read through carefully to confirm every detail is accurate and complete before signing
A helpful tip: keep your language as simple and specific as possible, and only state what you genuinely witnessed. Vague wording weakens a statement, while a precise, dated account carries more weight. If you want to see how the finished wording reads, the sample clauses above give a worked example of the exact phrasing courts expect.
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