Witness Statement Reforms from 6 April 2021
23 February 2021
Christopher Boyne, Emily Lodge, Emily Mackenzie, Alice McCartney
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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