Practice Direction 22 – Statements of Truth
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.”
Therefore, Process Servers will be required to add the following wording to the Statement of Truth:
2.1 The form of the statement of truth verifying a statement of case, a response, an application notice or a notice of objections should be as follows:
‘[I believe][the (claimant or as may be) believes] that the facts stated in this [name document being verified] 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.”.
2.2 The form of the statement of truth verifying a witness statement should be as follows:
‘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.”
If you require any further information regarding these changes or a quote for Process Serving, please contact Pauline Belt on p.belt@arklineuk.co.uk
