CPR change to witness statements following personal service by a process server

Practice Direction 22 – Statements of Truth

The Ministry of Justice have released a new practice direction (Practice Direction 22) with regards to the wording provided by process servers in their ‘Statement of Truth provided within their Witness Statement following personal service.

The amendments relate to all statements of truth and come into effect on 6th April 2020.  It is to include a warning as to the consequences of stating facts without an honest belief in their truth. The wording is much more powerful and conveys the very real and serious consequences of making a false statement.

The current wording is:

“I believe that the facts stated in this [statement of case/witness statement] are true.”

From the 6th April 2020 all witness statements should say:

“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.”

The full practice direction can read by clicking here. 2.1 and 2.2 deals with statements of truth.