Witness Statement

How to Write a Witness Statement for the UK Family Court (plain‑English guide for a litigant in person)

1. What a Witness Statement Is

A witness statement is your written account of what you saw, heard, or experienced that is relevant to the case. The judge uses it to understand the facts before the hearing. It is not a place for opinions, gossip, or personal attacks – just clear, factual information.

2. The Correct Format

- Part — What to Put — Tips - Heading — • Court name (e.g., “Family Court at [Location]”) <br>• Case number <br>• Parties’ names (e.g., “Applicant: John Doe  Respondent: Jane Smith”) <br>• Title: “Witness Statement of [Your Full Name]” — Centre‑align or left‑align; keep it simple. - Introductory Paragraph — State who you are, your relationship to the parties (if any), and that you are making this statement voluntarily. Example: “I, [Your Full Name], of [Your Address], make this statement in connection with the above proceedings.” — One or two sentences only. - Numbered Paragraphs — Each fact gets its own paragraph, numbered 1, 2, 3… — Keep paragraphs short (1‑3 sentences). Numbering makes it easy for the judge and the other side to refer to specific points. - Exhibits / Annexes — If you refer to a document (e.g., a text message, email, school report), label it “Exhibit A”, “Exhibit B”, etc., and attach a copy at the end. In the text write: “See Exhibit A attached.” — Number exhibits in the order you first mention them. - Statement of Truth — At the very end, you must sign and date a signed declaration that the contents are true to the best of your knowledge and belief. — Wording provided below. - Signature Block — Your signature, printed name, and the date you signed. — Leave a few blank lines for your signature if you are printing it out. Overall layout example [Court Name] [Case Number] Between: [Applicant’s Name] Applicant and [Respondent’s Name] Respondent WITNESS STATEMENT OF [Your Full Name]

1. I, [Your Full Name], of [Your Address], make this statement …

2. On [date] …

3. …

(continue numbered paragraphs) [If you have exhibits] See Exhibit A attached. See Exhibit B attached. Statement of Truth I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. Signed: ______________________ Print name: [Your Full Name] Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] [Attach exhibits after the statement, each labelled clearly]

3. What to Include

- Only facts – what you personally saw, heard, or did. - Chronological order – start with the earliest relevant event and move forward in time. - Relevance – each fact should help the judge decide something that is in dispute (e.g., who was caring for the child on a certain date, what was said during an argument, whether a particular incident occurred). - Specific details – dates, times, locations, names of people present, and what was said or done (use quotation marks for direct speech if you are sure of the exact words). - References to exhibits – when you mention a document, attach it and label it clearly.

4. What NOT to Include

- Opinions or feelings – e.g., “I think he is a bad parent” or “I felt upset.” - Character attacks – insults, name‑calling, or remarks about someone’s morality that are not directly tied to a factual event. - Irrelevant history – events that have no bearing on the issues before the court (e.g., unrelated childhood anecdotes). - Hearsay – what someone else told you unless you are stating it as a fact that you heard them say (and you make clear it is what they said, not that it is true). - Legal arguments – leave those to your solicitor or to the judge; the statement is for facts only. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, ask yourself: “Does this fact help the judge decide a question that is actually in dispute?” If the answer is no, leave it out.

5. Appropriate Length

- Typical range: 4 – 8 pages of A4 (single‑spaced, 12‑point font). - Why this range? It is long enough to cover the key facts clearly, but short enough to be read quickly by the judge and the other side. - If your statement runs much longer, look for repetitive or unnecessary detail and trim it. If it is very short (under 2 pages), check whether you have omitted any important dates, events, or documents.

6. Filing Deadline & Process

1. Check the court order – The judge or the court’s directions will usually state a date by which witness statements must be exchanged (served) and filed.

2. Prepare the final version – Make sure it is signed, dated, and that any exhibits are attached and labelled.

3. Serve the other side – Send a copy to the other party (or their solicitor) by the method directed in the order (often email or post). Keep a record of how and when you sent it.

4. File with the court – Upload the statement (and exhibits) to the court’s online portal (e.g., HMCTS Online) or deliver a paper copy to the court office, again by the deadline.

5. Get proof of filing – Save the confirmation email or receipt; you may need to show that you complied with the direction.

If you miss the deadline, inform the court as soon as possible and ask for permission to file late. The judge may allow it, but it is better to meet the original date.

7. Common Mistakes LIPs Make (and How to Avoid Them)

- Mistake — Why it’s a problem — How to avoid it - Writing in narrative essay style (long paragraphs, no numbering) — Hard for the judge to locate specific facts; may be seen as unclear. — Use short, numbered paragraphs; each paragraph = one fact or event. - Including opinions or feelings — The statement is meant to be factual; opinions can be struck out or ignored. — Stick to what you saw, heard, or did; leave feelings out. - Attaching exhibits but not referring to them — The judge may miss the evidence or think it’s irrelevant. — In the text, explicitly write “See Exhibit A attached” right before or after the fact you are proving. - Using legal jargon or trying to argue the law — The statement is not the place for legal submissions; it can confuse the reader. — Keep language simple; leave legal arguments to your solicitor or to the hearing. - Exceeding the page limit without good reason — Over‑long statements can be seen as burdensome and may cause the judge to skim. — Edit for brevity; remove repetitions, irrelevant detail, and excessive background. - Failing to sign and date the statement of truth — An unsigned statement may be rejected or considered inadmissible. — Double‑check the signature block before you file. - Leaving out dates or times — Without timing, the judge cannot place events in context. — Whenever possible, give a specific date (or at least month/year) and approximate time. - Not keeping a copy — You need a record for yourself and to prove you served it. — Save a PDF or printed copy for your own files before sending anything out.

8. The Statement of Truth – Exact Wording

You must sign the following declaration (or the exact wording the court has directed you to use). It appears at the very end of your statement, above your signature. > Statement of Truth > I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true. > > Signed: ______________________ > Print name: [Your Full Name] > Date: