Witness statement

  • Civil Procedure Rules compliant
  • Customisable to your circumstances
  • Guidance notes to help you present your evidence

Use this witness statement template to write a proper witness statement for use in a small claim that you are managing yourself. It offers an easy way to make sure any witness statements are in the right form, and includes guidance to help you think about what you need to put it in.

It is important that your witness statements are in the right format and include the correct wording above the signature at the end, confirming that the contents are true.

It is also important that the person signing the statement carefully checks the contents and has the opportunity to change anything they want to before signing it. If a witness signs a statement that is not true, they can be held in contempt of court which is a criminal offence.

You can also purchase this document as part of the Small claims toolkit.

Q&A

  • When should I use this document?

    Use this witness statement as a template if you need to write statements for use in court. If you have instructed lawyers, they will likely write your statement for you, based on what you tell them, but if you are dealing with a case without them, you will need to write any witness statements yourself.

    If you are involved in a small claim, the court will give you a date by which you must send copies of your evidence (which will include any witness statements) to the court and to the other parties involved in the matter. Make sure you prepare any statements and send them off in good time. The court can refuse to take any late evidence into account, which would likely be disastrous for your prospects of success.

  • What does this document cover?

    This witness statement includes the technical wording that is required in any witness statement by the court rules (also known as the civil procedure rules). It is particularly important that your witness statement has the right wording in its statement of truth at the end. this is the part where the person whose statement it is promises that it is true.

    It also has notes to help you write the body of the statement, guiding you as to the type of things you might need to cover, how to present them and how to refer to and attach any documents that the witness refers to.

  • Why do I need this document?

    It is important to use this template when writing witness statements for a simple claim. It will ensure that you comply with the court rules in how your evidence is presented and will help you to show your evidence to the best advantage.

  • Where can I find out more?

    You do not necessarily need a lawyer to represent you in a small claim - the system is designed to be accessible for people representing themselves. For general guidance on how to bring or defend a small claim yourself, including draft documentation to help you from start to finish, see Small claims and letter before action.

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