Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Witness Statement
I need a witness statement for a car accident that occurred on [date] in Lahore, detailing the events as observed from my perspective, including the time, location, and any relevant details about the vehicles and individuals involved. The statement should be clear, concise, and include my contact information for any follow-up inquiries.
What is a Witness Statement?
A Witness Statement is a detailed written account where someone describes what they saw, heard, or experienced related to an incident or legal matter. In Pakistani courts, these statements play a crucial role in both civil and criminal proceedings, serving as key evidence under the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984.
These statements help judges understand events from different perspectives and often become vital during cross-examination. Before submission, witnesses must sign their statements and declare them true under oath, usually in front of a magistrate or authorized court official. Pakistani law requires witness statements to be in Urdu or English, though local languages are accepted with proper translations.
When should you use a Witness Statement?
Use a Witness Statement when you need to formally document someone's first-hand account of an incident or transaction in Pakistan's legal system. This becomes essential after workplace accidents, during property disputes, following traffic incidents, or when reporting financial misconduct - any situation where preserving accurate testimony matters.
Timing is critical - collect Witness Statements as soon as possible after the event, while memories are fresh and details are clear. Pakistani courts give more weight to statements recorded promptly, especially in criminal cases. These statements protect your legal interests by documenting key facts before witnesses become unavailable or stories change.
What are the different types of Witness Statement?
- Affidavit For Witness Statement: A general-purpose sworn statement used in court proceedings, containing detailed observations of events or facts. Must be notarized and follows strict formatting requirements under Pakistani law.
- Affidavit Of Witness Of Birth: A specialized witness statement specifically for confirming details about someone's birth, commonly used for late birth registration or proving citizenship. Requires witnesses who were present at the time of birth or have direct knowledge.
Who should typically use a Witness Statement?
- Direct Witnesses: People who have personally seen, heard, or experienced events relevant to a legal matter must provide detailed, truthful accounts of their observations.
- Legal Professionals: Lawyers and advocates help format statements properly, ensure compliance with Pakistani evidence laws, and use them effectively in court proceedings.
- Court Officials: Magistrates and notary publics verify witness identities, administer oaths, and authenticate statements for legal validity.
- Law Enforcement: Police officers collect witness statements during investigations and submit them as evidence in criminal cases.
- Corporate Representatives: HR managers and company officers often gather statements for workplace incidents or internal investigations.
How do you write a Witness Statement?
- Basic Details: Gather witness's full name, CNIC number, address, and contact information - all matching official documents.
- Incident Information: Record exact date, time, location, and a chronological sequence of events while memories are fresh.
- Supporting Evidence: Collect any photos, documents, or physical evidence that backs up the statement.
- Format Requirements: Use our platform to generate a properly structured statement that meets Pakistani court standards.
- Authentication: Arrange for statement signing before a notary public or magistrate, with two witnesses present for verification.
What should be included in a Witness Statement?
- Declaration Header: Must state "Witness Statement" clearly, including case reference number and court jurisdiction in Pakistan.
- Witness Identification: Full legal name, CNIC number, occupation, and complete residential address.
- Truth Declaration: Standard oath statement confirming the truthfulness of contents under Qanun-e-Shahadat Order.
- Factual Account: Chronological narration of events with specific dates, times, and locations.
- Authentication Block: Witness signature, date, and notary/magistrate verification with official seal.
- Witness Signatures: Two verification witnesses' signatures with their complete details as required by Pakistani law.
What's the difference between a Witness Statement and a Certification Statement?
A Witness Statement differs significantly from a Certification Statement in several key ways under Pakistani law. While both documents provide formal declarations, their purposes and legal implications vary considerably.
- Legal Weight: Witness Statements serve as direct evidence in court proceedings, focusing on first-hand observations of specific events. Certification Statements merely verify facts or compliance with requirements.
- Timing Requirements: Witness Statements must be recorded soon after the incident to maintain credibility. Certification Statements can be issued at any relevant time.
- Authentication Process: Witness Statements require notarization and two verification witnesses under Pakistani law. Certification Statements often need only the certifying authority's signature.
- Content Structure: Witness Statements contain detailed narrative accounts of events. Certification Statements typically follow a more standardized, checklist-style format focusing on specific facts or qualifications.
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
Genie’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our Trust Centre for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.