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Free Witness Statement Template

A witness statement is a written account of the facts a person can give as evidence. In England and Wales, witness statements must comply with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) or Criminal Procedure Rules depending on the type of proceedings. Our template helps you produce a properly formatted statement.

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WITNESS STATEMENT
Civil Procedure Rules Part 32  ·  England And Wales
WITNESS
Thomas Edward Clarke
28 Maple Drive, Oxford OX1 3DP
By: Chartered Accountant, DOB: 17 August 1978
PROCEEDINGS
County Court at Oxford
Civil Business Centre · Claim No: A00OX123
By: Thomas Edward Clarke v Premier Property Services Ltd
1st Statement — Claimant
Party to the Proceedings · Dated: 14 March 2026
Filed pursuant to Civil Procedure Rules Part 32.
On behalf of: Claimant
Made by: Thomas Edward Clarke
Statement number: 1st
Date made: 14 March 2026
Exhibit initials: TEC
1.
IDENTITY OF WITNESS
I, Thomas Edward Clarke, of 28 Maple Drive, Oxford OX1 3DP, Chartered Accountant by profession, am the party to the proceedings in these proceedings. I make this, my 1st witness statement, on behalf of the Claimant in support of the above proceedings. I am duly authorised to make this statement.
2.
THE PROCEEDINGS
The relevant court is the County Court at Oxford, Civil Business Centre. The claim number is A00OX123. The Claimant/Applicant is Thomas Edward Clarke and the Defendant/Respondent is Premier Property Services Ltd. This statement is made in accordance with Civil Procedure Rules Part 32.
3.
SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
The contents of this statement are within my own direct knowledge except where otherwise indicated. Where I rely on information and belief, I identify the source and state that I believe it to be true, in accordance with paragraph 18.2 of Practice Direction 32.
4.
INTRODUCTION
I am the Claimant in this matter. I make this statement from facts within my own knowledge unless otherwise stated. Where information has come from another source, I have identified the source and I believe it to be true.
5.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
1. On 15 January 2026, I entered into a written contract with the Defendant for building works at my residential property at 28 Maple Drive, Oxford OX1 3DP.
2. The agreed price for the works was £12,500.00 payable in three equal instalments. The first instalment of £4,166.67 was paid on 18 January 2026 by bank transfer.
3. The Defendant commenced work on 1 February 2026 but failed to attend site from 22 February 2026 onwards. The Defendant did not complete the agreed works by the contractual completion date of 1 March 2026.
4. On 3 March 2026, I engaged an independent surveyor who inspected the property and prepared a written report dated 5 March 2026, concluding that the cost of rectifying defective works and completing the unfinished works was £8,400.00.
5. I have sought to contact the Defendant by telephone, email and recorded delivery letter but have received no substantive response since 20 February 2026.
6.
EXHIBITS
I refer to the following documents, produced and exhibited to this statement and marked accordingly in accordance with paragraph 11 of Practice Direction 32:

TEC-1: Copy of the written building contract dated 15 January 2026
TEC-2: Photographs of incomplete and defective works taken on 5 March 2026
TEC-3: Independent surveyor's report dated 5 March 2026
TEC-4: Correspondence between the parties, February–March 2026
7.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
The Claimant is represented by Rachel Ann Stevens of Smith and Jones Solicitors LLP (14 High Street, Oxford OX1 4AB), file reference SJ/TEC/2026/001.
8.
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 (CPR Part 22 and Practice Direction 22).

WARNING — CONTEMPT OF COURT: Under section 14 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and CPR 32.14, a person found guilty of making a false statement verified by a statement of truth may be committed to prison (up to 2 years in the High Court, up to 1 month in the County Court), fined, or have their assets seized. Making a knowingly false statement in a statutory declaration also constitutes an offence under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911, punishable by imprisonment of up to two years and/or an unlimited fine.
9.
JURISDICTION
This witness statement is made in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules Part 32 and is governed by the law of England and Wales. It is intended to stand as the witness's evidence-in-chief at trial pursuant to CPR 32.5(2) unless the court otherwise directs.
WITNESS — SIGNED STATEMENT OF TRUTH
Thomas Edward Clarke
Date: ____________________

What Is a Witness Statement?

A witness statement is a formal written document setting out the evidence that a witness can give about the facts of a case. It is used in both civil and criminal proceedings in England and Wales and must be verified by a statement of truth.

In civil proceedings, witness statements are governed by Part 32 of the Civil Procedure Rules and Practice Direction 32. The statement must be in the witness's own words, set out facts within the witness's personal knowledge, and follow a specific format including numbered paragraphs and a statement of truth.

Witness statements serve as the witness's evidence-in-chief at trial. This means the court reads the statement instead of the witness giving their full account orally. The witness will then be cross-examined on the contents of the statement.

What's Covered in This Template

Our witness statement template follows the format required by the CPR:

Heading

Case name, court, claim number, and the party on whose behalf the statement is made.

Witness Details

Full name, address, occupation, and relationship to the case.

Numbered Paragraphs

The evidence set out in clear, numbered paragraphs as required by the CPR.

Personal Knowledge

Identification of which facts are within the witness's own knowledge and which are from other sources.

Exhibits

References to documents or evidence attached to or referred to in the statement.

Statement of Truth

The prescribed declaration: "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."

Date

The date the statement is made.

Signature

The witness's signature confirming the truth of the statement.

How to Create a Witness Statement

Follow these steps to produce a compliant witness statement:

  1. 1

    Gather the Facts

    Note down everything you personally witnessed or know about the matter. Focus on facts, not opinions, and organise them chronologically.

  2. 2

    Use the Correct Format

    Include the case heading, your full details, and number each paragraph. Refer to documents as exhibits (e.g. "Exhibit AB1").

  3. 3

    Write in Your Own Words

    The statement must be in your own language. Avoid legal jargon unless necessary. State clearly what you saw, heard, or did.

  4. 4

    Distinguish Knowledge from Information

    If any facts come from someone else or from documents rather than your direct knowledge, say so clearly and identify the source.

  5. 5

    Sign with Statement of Truth

    Sign the statement and include the prescribed statement of truth. Be aware that making a false statement of truth is contempt of court.

Legal Considerations

Witness statements in civil proceedings are governed by the Civil Procedure Rules and carry serious consequences for dishonesty.

This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.

Reviewed for England & Wales law

CPR Part 32 and Practice Direction 32

These UK rules set out the requirements for witness statements in civil proceedings in England and Wales, including format, content, and the statement of truth. Non-compliance can result in the statement being excluded or given less weight by the British court.

Statement of Truth

Every UK witness statement must be verified by a statement of truth. Making a false statement verified by a statement of truth without honest belief in its truth is contempt of court in the United Kingdom, punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

Criminal Proceedings

Witness statements in criminal cases in England and Wales follow different rules under the Criminal Procedure Rules and the Criminal Justice Act 1967. The format differs from civil witness statements, and the consequences of making a false statement include prosecution for perjury or perverting the course of justice.

Exhibits and Documents

Documents referred to in a UK witness statement should be exhibited. Each exhibit should have a unique reference (e.g. the witness's initials followed by a number) and be accompanied by an exhibit certificate signed by the witness under English law.

Frequently Asked Questions

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