Witness Statement Reforms from 6 April 2021
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Key takeaways:
- Amongst a flurry of recent cases involving judicial criticism of approaches to witness evidence, a new Practice Direction 57AC and an Appendix (Statement of Best Practice in relation to Trial Witness Statements) will introduce significant witness evidence reforms.
- The new Practice Direction applies to trial witness statements in the Business and Property Courts signed on or after 6 April 2021, and applies to new and existing proceedings.
- Significant reforms being brought in by the new Practice Direction include the requirement for a trial witness statement to identify by list any documents the witness has referred to, or been referred to, for the purpose of providing their witness statement evidence.
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