writing a personal statement for court

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CIVIL AND MISDEMEANORS

How to write out statements to the courts.

By Teo Spengler, J.D.

December 12, 2018

Reviewed by Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA

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• Do Affidavits in California Need to Be Notarized?

Written documents filed with a court must follow court rules and state procedure codes. Personal statements are usually made as affidavits signed under penalty of perjury, although informal statements are sometimes permitted in actions like those in small claims court.

Written Statement to the Court

Every court action involves written documents presented by the parties to a case, including petitions, pleadings, motions and appeals. The required format, procedure and timing for filing these papers are set out in detail in the court's rules and in state codes of civil, criminal and appellate procedures.

Parties are generally not permitted to simply write out their arguments, opinions or version of the facts on a sheet of paper and submit it to the court. In most court proceedings, personal statements must be made in affidavit form, signed under penalty of perjury. Read More: How to Write a Sworn Statement

Making a Statement in Court by Affidavit

An affidavit is a written statement to the court made under oath. Generally, you can write out an affidavit by hand, type it or print it. When a party or a witness to an action makes a written statement to the court, it usually must be presented in affidavit form. This means that the person making the statement sets out facts and swears that they are true under penalty of perjury. Penalty of perjury means that if the person is lying under oath, they can be prosecuted criminally for perjury.

The person making the affidavit can include facts, but not speculations or opinions. The statement can be based on matters that the person observed or experienced directly. In some states, it can also be based on "information and belief," which means information a person believes is true, although not based on firsthand knowledge. If you make statements on information and belief in an affidavit, you generally must identify them as such.

The person making the affidavit signs at the bottom of the statement under penalty of perjury. Some states require that you make an affidavit in front of a notary public. In that case, the notary administers the oath before you sign the affidavit, then sets the notary seal on your signature.

Informal Statement for the Court

In some court cases, judges allow witnesses and even parties to a court case to present informal written statements. For example, many small claims courts are informal proceedings where parties are allowed and even encouraged to use less formal procedures.

If you are writing an informal statement for the court, you still want to stick to the facts rather than offer personal opinions. Write clearly and concisely. Include all pertinent information, but only facts relevant to the case at hand. If you are not a party, explain your role or interest in the case and your relationship to a party. Don't forget to sign and date the statement.

• Nolo: Witness Testimony by Telephone or Letter
• Legal Dictionary: Affidavit
• Legal Aid Services of Oregon: How to Write an Affidavit
• California Small Claims Court: Information for the Small Claims Plaintiff
• Contact the court district before finalizing the court statement, as some courts have a restriction regarding the statement length.
• Do not knowingly include false information within the declaration statement, as this is considered perjury.

Teo Spengler earned a JD from U.C. Berkeley Law School. As an Assistant Attorney General in Juneau, she practiced before the Alaska Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court before opening a plaintiff's personal injury practice in San Francisco. She holds both an MA and an MFA in English/writing and enjoys writing legal blogs and articles. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications including USA Today, Legal Zoom, eHow Business, Livestrong, SF Gate, Go Banking Rates, Arizona Central, Houston Chronicle, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pearson, Quicken.com, TurboTax.com, and numerous attorney websites. Spengler splits her time between the French Basque Country and Northern California.

Related Articles

• How to Draft a Declaration in California
• How to Write a Personal Affidavit
• How to Write a Witness Affidavit

How To Write A Statement For Court

Last Updated on May 11, 2022 by Fair Punishment Team

Whether you are the plaintiff, the defendant, or another witness in a court case, you will probably have to write a statement for the court.

Statements from key parties and witnesses in court cases are often made under oath. Such statements constitute crucial pieces of evidence and help to determine the overall outcome of the case.

The smaller details of writing a statement for court will vary depending on the nature of the case, which court the hearing is taking place in, and your role within the case.

However, there are some fairly universal rules and guidelines which apply to the writing of most court statements. We will be walking you through the process of writing a statement for court today.

The Purpose Of A Court Statement

The purpose of a court statement, in general, is to present an overview of one party’s truthful experience of the events that led to the court case.

At its core, a court statement, be it from an eyewitness, the plaintiff, or the defendant in the case is a piece of legal evidence.

You may be asked to give either a formal or informal statement in court. A formal statement is often interchangeably referred to as an Affidavit.

An Affidavit is a statement that is presented before the court after having been signed in the presence of a notary or another qualified legal witness.

A notarized (sworn) statement or Affidavit carries more weight in terms of evidence than an informal statement.

1. Establish Your Timeline

Before you start writing your statement, make sure that you have a clear timeline of events established in your mind – and, if possible, through documentation.

The last thing you want is to start writing your statement from a place of confusion when it comes to the details, so make sure that you have all of the events as clear as possible in your mind.

This way, you will be able to recount them clearly in the order in which they occurred.

2. Formulate A Title

Your statement will need a title. This can be as simple as ‘Statement/Affidavit of [ ]’ followed by the case caption.

The case caption contains the basic information surrounding the case, including the case number, the names of involved parties, the state and county, and the name of the courthouse.

3. State Who You Are

This part is called a statement of identity. Essentially, before you get into the details of the events at hand, you need to let the court know who you are, including your relationship with any parties involved in the case.

This should be concise, including only facts that are important to your identity and the case. For example: ‘My name is [ ]. I am [ ] years old. I live at [ ] and work as a [ ]. I am the [ ] of Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms [ ].’

4. Be Honest And Specific

Many people worry about the process of writing down their version of events for a court statement, but this part is actually very simple (although it may take a long time depending on the complexity of the events you are recounting).

In essence, all you have to do is write down, honestly, what you remember about the event, in clear and concise language, while being as specific as possible.

If you can’t remember a specific detail or moment from the event, it is much better to be honest and say that you don’t remember than to write down something you’re unsure about.

Try to include dates and times wherever possible and describe events in as much detail as you can recall, where relevant.

5. Use Your Own Words

Of course, you want your court statement to read clearly and be appropriate for reading in a formal setting. For this reason, your statement may sound slightly more formal than you would in your day-to-day life.

However, it’s very important that you write your statement in your own words. Your statement should not sound as though anyone (especially not your lawyer) has written it for you or put words in your mouth.

If the court suspects that your statement does not accurately reflect your own honest perception of events, this will reflect badly on you during proceedings. So, write concisely, clearly, and as yourself.

6. Don’t Speculate

If you are writing a statement as a witness, your statement should only include facts of the case. You may be asked to provide evidence of these facts if possible.

You might not be able to provide supporting evidence for every fact in your statement, but you can’t include any speculation of what might have happened or what you imagine happened.

Avoid statements such as ‘I think’ or ‘might have’. These will make your testimony less convincing.

Being honest and admitting to not recalling or being unsure of specific details is preferable to speculating, although you should try your best to remember as much as possible to avoid your statement being classed as unreliable.

7. Summarize

Before you go through the last legal formalities of completing your statement or Affidavit, you should briefly summarize the events and facts you have recalled in the statement.

You don’t need to go into everything in detail all over again – just provide a short statement to reiterate the main points you have made in your testimony.

This is similar to the process of writing a conclusion in an essay in school, although again, it should only consist of facts.

8. Notarize

If you have been asked to write a formal Affidavit or sworn statement for court, you will need to have it notarized before it can be read in court.

The process of notarization involves each page of the Affidavit document as well as any amends to the document being signed by a licensed notary.

You will also need to sign all of the above yourself, but you must not do so until the statement has been approved by a notary.

Final Thoughts

Being asked to write a statement, especially a sworn statement, for court can be a nerve-wracking experience. However, the process is actually quite simple with a little direction.

Writing a statement for court involves presenting your honest version of events in your own words. The statement should consist only of facts as far as possible, with no speculation or guesswork.

A statement of your identity should be given at the start of your statement, and it should conclude with a brief summary of your testimony.

If you have been asked to give a sworn statement or Affidavit, you will also need to write a title that includes the court caption and have the completed Affidavit notarized before signing it in the presence of a licensed witness.

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• Writing Tips

How to Write a Court Letter (With Template)

4-minute read

• 1st June 2023

Sending a letter to court personnel is a serious matter, so if you need to write one, ensure it makes an impact and conveys your message well. In this post, we’ll discuss the reasons you might need to write a court letter, the essential information to include, and an example of what one might look like.

What Is a Court Letter?

A court letter, also known as a legal letter or court correspondence, refers to a written document used in legal proceedings. It’s a type of formal communication addressed to court personnel, such as a judge, attorney, or another party involved in a legal case.

Court letters can serve many purposes, including requesting information, providing evidence, or asking for consideration from the court. For example, you could write a court letter on behalf of a defendant to highlight their positive qualities prior to sentencing. Or you could write a letter to a judge to provide a positive context for a family member involved in a child custody dispute.

Due to their serious nature, court letters should always be written using a professional tone of voice . It’s important to convey your ideas clearly and concisely, and while the recipient won’t be expecting perfection, do your best to ensure your letter is free of grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and typos.

What to Include in a Court Letter

Whatever the reason for your letter, include the following information:

●  Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, email address)

●  The date

●  The recipient’s name and the name of the court

●  A subject line stating what the letter will address (if in email form)

●  A greeting or salutation

●  Body content

●  A closing signature

Here’s a sample template for a court letter – it’s asking a judge to consider a specific claim, but it can be adapted to suit other purposes.

Court Letter Template

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[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Date]

[Judge’s Name] [Name of Court] [Address of Court]

[City, State ZIP Code]

Dear [Judge’s Name],

I am writing to bring your attention to a claim I have against [name of defendant] regarding [briefly describe the nature of the claim]. I am writing this letter in support of my claim and to request that the court consider my case.

On [date of incident], I [briefly describe what happened]. As a result of this incident, I have suffered [describe the relevant injuries, losses, or damages]. I have attempted to resolve this matter with [name of defendant] but have been unsuccessful in coming to a resolution.

I am requesting that the court hear my case and am seeking [describe the specific relief you’re seeking, such as monetary damages or a specific action by the defendant]. I have attached the relevant documents and evidence to support my claim.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.

[Your Name]

Structuring Your Letter

As you can see above, the letter begins by formally stating the purpose for writing. The second and third paragraphs briefly and clearly describe the nature of the incident, its impact, and the desired outcome of the request. It ends by referring to supporting documents and evidence included with the letter.

If you’re writing on behalf of someone else, include your relationship with them (coworker, family member, etc.) and one or two examples that demonstrate their character to provide context for your claims.

If you’re unsure of the correct title to use for the salutation, look it up beforehand (on the court’s or law firm’s website). And when signing off, use a respectful closing signature, such as sincerely or respectfully , and your full, legal name (rather than a nickname).

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Personal statement

How to submit a personal statement.

If your attorney asked you to submit a personal statement, please follow these instructions. A personal statement is a letter you write that states why you want to clear your record. The judge in the county you are applying in will read this when deciding on your case.

Your case is on hold until your attorney has received your personal statement.

Instructions for writing your personal statement:

Please follow these instructions when writing your personal statement. Answer all the questions below in your letter. Please write at least 3-5 sentences in each paragraph.

• Write the date.
• Start the letter with To Whom It May Concern,
• Introduce yourself to the judge.
• What has been going on in your life recently?
• How is your life different now, since your last conviction?
• What jobs, programs, activities, or community service have you been involved in?
• What did you do in those programs?
• What goals are you working on achieving in your life right now?
• How are you working on achieving your goals?
• Why do you want to clear your record?
• How will clearing your record change your life or help you?
• Write Sincerely,
• Print your full name.

 Where to send your personal statement:

Please send your personal statement to the county who requested them from you. You can find their contact information on the county Public Defender and legal aid contact page .

The Court Direct

Court Directory

How to Write a Statement for Court: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

When you are asked to write a statement for court, it is essential to understand the gravity of the situation. Your statement can make a significant difference in the outcome of the case. A well-written statement can strengthen your case and help you win the case, while a poorly written one can damage your chances of winning. In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing a statement for court, step by step.

Understanding the Purpose of Your Statement

Before you start writing your statement, it is crucial to understand the purpose of the statement. Typically, the statement is written to support your side of the case. It is a written record of your testimony and your version of events related to the case. Your statement must be factual, accurate, and truthful.

Gathering Information and Evidence

The next step is to gather all the information and evidence related to the case. This includes any documents, photographs, or other evidence that supports your version of events. Make sure to organize the evidence and keep it handy while writing the statement.

Organizing Your Thoughts

Organizing your thoughts is crucial before you start writing the statement. Make an outline of what you want to say in your statement. Break down the outline into smaller sections, and make sure each section addresses a particular point related to the case. Use headings and subheadings to organize the statement.

see also Franklin County Municipal Court

Writing the Statement

Now that you have organized your thoughts and gathered the evidence, it is time to start writing the statement. Start by introducing yourself and your relationship to the case. Next, provide a brief overview of the case and the events leading up to the incident.

Make sure to present your facts in a logical sequence. Be concise and avoid using complex legal jargon. Write in a clear and simple language that is easy to understand. Use short sentences and avoid long paragraphs. Make sure to be factual, accurate, and truthful in your statement.

Editing and Proofreading the Statement

Once you have written the statement, it is time to edit and proofread it. Read the statement several times to check for any grammatical errors, typos, or inconsistencies. Make sure the statement is clear, concise, and well-organized.

Submitting the Statement

After editing and proofreading, it is time to submit the statement. Follow the instructions provided by the court regarding the submission of the statement. Make sure to submit the statement within the given timeframe.

see also How To File In Small Claims Court

Writing a statement for court can be a daunting task, but by following these steps, you can write a powerful statement that can make a significant difference in the outcome of the case. Remember to gather all the evidence, organize your thoughts, and present the facts in a clear and concise manner. With a well-written statement, you can strengthen your case and increase your chances of winning.

• What is a statement for court?

A statement for court is a written record of your testimony and your version of events related to the case.

• Why is it important to write a statement for court?

A statement for court can make a significant difference in the outcome of the case. A well-written statement can strengthen your case and help you win the case.

• How do I organize my thoughts before writing the statement?

Make an outline of what you want to say in your statement. Break down the outline into smaller sections, and make sure each section addresses a particular point related to the case. Use headings and subheadings to organize the statement.

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5 Tips for Writing a Witness Statement

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If something prevents you from appearing in court, you may be able to make a written statement instead. However, if you do not have a compelling reason to give written testimony, the court usually requires that you appear in person.

When you have to give a statement as a witness in a legal proceeding, it is generally preferred that you do so in person. However, this is not always possible. You may be indisposed because of illness or injury. Perhaps appearing in person would expose you to unnecessary danger, or maybe the distance you would have to travel is insurmountable.

Under circumstances such as these, the court may allow you to submit your testimony in the form of a written statement. Because the proceedings are formal, your witness statement should follow a certain format. Here are some tips for writing a statement the court will accept.  

1. Include Your Credentials

In this context, “credentials” refers to the reason that you have been asked to give testimony. In other words, you need to explain to the court why you have the standing to speak about a certain issue. For example, if you were an expert on solar panels asked to testify to the effectiveness of a certain model , you would describe the education and training you have received on photovoltaic technology .

Nevertheless, you do not necessarily need to be an expert to give testimony. If you witnessed an incident, all you have to say in your statement to establish your credentials is that you were present at the time and saw what happened. It is unnecessary to mention anything about your background unless it is relevant to your testimony.

2. Use First-Person Point of View

Because a court proceeding is formal, you may be tempted to describe the event in writing from a third-person point of view. However, as a personal statement that describes what you saw and heard, you should write about it from the first-person perspective, using pronouns such as “I” and “me.” Remember that if you were to give this testimony in court, you would respond to questions posed to you by the attorneys and/or judge. You would answer those questions in first person rather than third person, so it is appropriate to do the same in your written witness statement.

3. Make Your Writing Factual and Detailed

You make your written witness statement under penalty of perjury, just as you would if you were to give oral testimony. Therefore, it is important that you stick to the facts in your witness statement. Do not exaggerate and do not make any suppositions, i.e., guesses as to another person’s state of mind or ideas that you cannot prove one way or the other.

Any detail you can provide, no matter how inconsequential it may seem to you, may end up being significant. Therefore, describe what you witnessed in as much detail as possible while remaining factual. The court will likely forgive a genuine lapse in memory, but if there is reason to believe that you have purposely omitted significant details, that could get you into big trouble.

4. Provide Identifying Information

The court clerk has to handle a lot of paperwork pertaining to the different proceedings that happen on a daily basis. To prevent your witness statement from getting lost in the shuffle, you should include the case number and name of the case, if known, toward the top of your statement. At the very least, you should be able to include a date of the incident about which you are giving testimony. You should also include your own name, address, and phone number so that someone from the court can get in touch with you if necessary.

5. Include Your Oath

When you give testimony, you make an oath attesting to the truth and accuracy of the information you have to give. This step is not omitted when you give a written witness statement. It just means that you have to write down your oath and sign it to give credence to it. You also need to include the location and date that you sign it for purposes of later verification.

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How to Write a Successful Law Personal Statement

University Personal statements are tricky. They’re the most cringe-worthy pieces of writing you are ever likely to come across. Thankfully, they are also comparatively simple to get right if you know what you’re doing. Read on for the lowdown on how to write a successful law personal statement. 

Show, Don’t Tell

The most important advice anyone can give when writing a personal statement for law. I cannot repeat this enough. Show, don’t tell. Nobody is interested in reading for the four hundredth time, “I am an engaged and enthusiastic law student, passionate to work for the cause of justice”.

Absolutely anyone could have written that line – it says nothing about you personally. Ironically, in trying to come across as different, you do the exact opposite.

Instead of telling your reader how engaged and enthusiastic you are, show how engaged and enthusiastic you are! “For the past year, I have spent one day every fortnight volunteering at my local Citizens Advice . I also write a blog simplifying the biggest cases of the day for school students” is so much better.

Of course, you probably don’t write a blog or volunteer at your local CA . If not, why not? Go and find out about the law in action! See The Ultimate Guide to Pro Bono Work Experience .

If it’s too late to do these things, and your personal statement is due in 12 hours’ time, then you need to rack your brains to remember what it is you have done with regards to the law. That essay you wrote last month – what did you research? What did you think about it? What would you like to find out in the future? That moot you took part in three years ago – what area of law was it on? What did you learn? Purely by virtue of being a law student you will have done so many interesting things as part of your studies. Write about them, and your enthusiasm will show!

Structure Your Material

So you’ve got an idea of all the material you’ll be using. Now you need to structure it. The first sentence should be catchy and is also the one part of the statement that can be vague. Lead your reader in, potentially with a personal anecdote: “Legal practice is not simply another career, but an intellectual philosophy. I first realised this when……” (obviously, don’t use that, but you get the idea).

From there a successful law personal statement should proceed simply and logically from one section to the next. Think about how you’re going to lay it out. A standard structure involves a very short and snappy introduction, one in-depth section on your (hopefully extensive) legal experience and inspiration, a second on your analytical and academic achievements, and a quick paragraph on your extra-curricular activities.

Show Off How Smart You Are, But be Subtle About it

This is a particularly difficult part – mentioning your excellent academics without coming across as arrogant or self-entitled. One tactic would be to focus on a specific project/piece of research you did, explain what you learned from that research, then say how you applied that learning to your wider degree and were “fortunate enough” to receive strong grades as a result. Again, show, don’t tell. Demonstrate that your writing is of the analytical standard your reader is looking for. If your academics are superb, but your statement is loose and full of typos, you’re probably not going to succeed.

Keep it Short

Lawyers love brevity. If you can cut a word, cut it out. If you can use a short word where a long one will do, use it. Lengthy elaborate sentences flowing through divergent sub-clauses, each decorated with pearly rhetoric flair, are all very well on the Man Booker Prize shortlist but have no place in legal drafting. They also have no place in a successful law personal statement. As a rule of thumb any sentence with more than two commas, or one that spills over more than three lines on the page, is too long.

Follow these tips and your writing will improve no end. That and your personal statement for law will read like the impressive piece of writing it is, rather than a nauseating flail in the dark. Good luck!

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Preparing your Witness Statement for Court: step by step (with template)

When you have to make a witness statement for court, you can avoid slip-ups.

Slip ups in witness statements make your life harder. They force you to take steps to defend what you say in court.

That might be avoidable.

Getting it right the first time has other advantages.

Avoiding mistakes gets you into a position to focus on advancing your own case. Structure your witness statements properly and cover what needs to be covered.

Below, we give some suggestions on how to prepare witness statements. We also give the low down on some of the processes that courts are likely to go through to assess and verify what you say in your witness statement.

We've also included a template witness statement below to get you started.

What are witness statements?

Witness statements are formal court documents.

They're made by witnesses to:

• set out evidence to prove the facts alleged by a party in the particulars of claim , defence or other statement of case
• in civil disputes, satisfy the burden of proof , which is on the balance of probabilities .  

Witness statements:

• are the main way courts receive evidence
• may be made for the purposes of supporting an application for interim relief (such as an injunction) or relied on at the trial in court disputes
• have the same general form in civil proceedings in England, whether they are used in disputes relating to contracts, work, car accidents, or disciplinary proceedings.

It's important to get right the first time (or as right as possible), because when they are signed, they're supported by a statement of truth .

First, the basics.

Then we show how witness statements are tested and challenged.

Contents of witness statements

If you are making a witness statements it should:

• be written in your own words, in the first person
• state facts within your personal knowledge, and if not
• specify the source of the information or belief is not within your direct knowledge
• not give opinions, unless you’re an expert
• exhibit documentary evidence to support the statements made
• follow the chronological order of events
• use numbered paragraphs so that different parts of it can be referred to quickly and easily.

It should include all the evidence that you are able to give to assist the court decide the case. More on this later under the heading, "Testing your Witness Statement".

Format wise, statements should be printed on a single side of A4 paper, and have a left margin of 35 mm. (We’ve been using 20 mm margins for years, and have never been criticised for it).

The conclusions and opinions that I come to below is sourced from a wide variety of disputes in civil proceedings. I don’t pretend that there is only one way to draft a witness statement. Each witness statement will depend upon the circumstances in which is it is required.

What is clear is that you need to think through what you say your witness statement, and the corroboration that you can use to support what you say. It will give you more credibility and make it harder to criticise what you say in your witness statement.

There are at least two ways that you can prove what you say. You can:

• produce evidence that directly supports what you say. For instance, if you say a company exists, you would exhibit a page from the relevant Register of Companies in your statement, from here; or
• produce evidence which tends to show what you say is true. Let's say you wanted to prove that you were in a particular place at particular time. You could produce credit card statements showing that you bought something from a shop near the venue, or a WhatsApp conversation which shows communications with the person you were about to meet, that you were running late.

When are witness statements used?

Witness statements are a fundamental tool in the civil justice system.

There are only 3 ways to for the court to receive evidence. Witness statements (and affidavits with them), oral evidence (in cross-examination and re-examination) and by judicial notice.

Courts use the evidence filed to decide issues:

• at the trial: The trial takes place after all of the preparation been completed. All of the parties, their witnesses, their experts (if any) come to court for the dispute to be heard and decided by the judge. At the trial, the witness statements prepared for the trial will almost always include "lay witness statements" (lay evidence). Lay evidence is just evidence which is not expert evidence. Expert evidence is given in the form of witness statements by people specially qualified to assist the court decide technical issues. Experts in a case could include IT experts, doctors, engineers, quantity surveyors or mechanics. They are qualified to give opinions in the areas of their expertise.
• Freezing Orders: preserve property pending the trial
• Search Orders: preserve evidence pending the trial
• Quia Timet Injunctions: prevent continuation of unlawful conduct pending the trial
• strike out applications
• summary judgment applications
• setting aside default judgment

The form of witness statements

First page: case title.

Witness statements have a prescribed form. Witness statement should set this information out on the first page:

• the title of the proceedings
• the name of the person making the statement
• the party to the proceedings on whose behalf the statement was made
• the exhibits made in conjunction with the witness statement
• the date it was made
• the number of witness statement of the witness making the witness statement.

The case title makes it clear on the first page the legal proceedings witness statement is made for, and who made it.

Section: Identifying yourself

Following the case title comes a statement identifying the deponent - the person signing the witness statement.

It has a prescribed form:

"I, [name], [occupation], of [address] will say as follows:"

If the witness statement is made in a business capacity, the address should be your work address. Otherwise it is your home address.

If you are unemployed or retired, those words replace the space provided for the "occupation" of the person.

Why does it say, " will say as follows"? Aren’t I saying it now, when I sign it?

Good question.

Court procedure in England changed in about 2000. Prior to that, witness statements were not prepared before the trial. The witnesses just showed up and gave oral testimony in person. That would be the first the other party ever heard what the witness would say.

Each party had their own witnesses which they would call to court to give evidence in their favour. Their oral testimony for the party that calls them is known as their "evidence in chief". After they gave their evidence in chief, the opposing party would then have an opportunity to cross-examine them.

After cross-examination, the party that called them would have another opportunity to ask them questions. This was done to clarify anything that came up during cross-examination. This is known as re-examination.

This process still applies but witness statements replace evidence in chief given by oral testimony. Witnesses now give their evidence in chief in witness statements. When you appear at court, you are called for cross-examination.

Section: Preliminaries

Source of evidence.

Well drafted witness statements commence with a statement confirming the source of the evidence given. And then stand by it.

It usually has words like:

The facts set out in this statement are within my own knowledge save where I state otherwise. Where I refer to facts that are not within my own knowledge I will give the source of my knowledge of those facts.

Except where I indicate to the contrary, the facts and matters contained in this witness statement are within my own knowledge. Where the facts are not within my own knowledge, I have identified my sources of information or belief.

Different words, same effect and message. You’ll want to make sure you stand by it in your statement.

It serves as a reminder what of evidence should be given, and what shouldn’t - or can't - be given.

It may sound trivial. It's not. 

In one case, words similar to those above were used in witness statements. But the witness statements didn't stand true to the statement.  In Starbucks  v British Sky Broadcasting Group , the Judge said:

• Despite [using words similar to the words in blue above], some of [the] statements contained information that, as she readily acknowledged during cross-examination, was not within her own knowledge, but without making this clear or stating the source of the information. This is a breach of CPR PD32 18.2 [...]. [I]t inevitably causes unnecessary difficulties for the witness when cross-examined .
• [...] The fault lies with the solicitors who drafted the witness statements. [...] This slipshod approach to the preparation of witness statements must cease. 

Those "difficulties" translate to being asked in cross-examination:

• whether the witness statement as a whole contains the whole truth
• whether there are any other parts of the witness statement which aren't true
• getting you on the back foot, and unsure of yourself when you're under pressure.

Where the source of the information or belief is not provided, it's likely to lead to the evidence given being (at least) heavily discounted and perhaps excluded from evidence which the court is prepared to consider altogether. 

If it's not within your direct knowledge: you didn't see it or experience it, it's hearsay evidence, and of little weight at all.

The purpose of using the wording at the beginning of a witness statement is, in a way, to remind witnesses of the limits of the evidence they can give, and:

• protect you from one of the harsh technicalities of the law, and
• preserve your credibility in the witness box.

Introducing the Deponent - You

Next, introduce yourself, in brief – in one or two sentences. Say who you are, and your background. Some people like to start the narrative (see below) to introduce themselves. Making a brief statement here, and then expanding on it in the narrative section (if necessary) might work better.

Also, this preliminaries section is:

• a good place to say you are related to any of the parties, such as "I am an employee of the Claimant" or "I am the brother of a director of the defendant", if you are, and
• a handy place to define terms and abbreviations that will be used throughout the witness statement, if there are any.

Section: This Witness Statement

It's a good idea to explain why the statement is being made, or the purpose the witness statement is being made early on. This is the place to do it.

Although it may be obvious, your witness statement may be one of many in the legal proceedings.  State why the witness statement has been prepared. You will also save the judge some aggravation by having to work it out for themselves.

This may be a statement that it is made in support of an application notice, in response to an application, or for the trial.

Section: Exhibits

You will often need to refer to documents upon which you rely to state the facts that you state.

If documents are exhibited, it is a good idea to introduce them at this stage.

Also, it is usually a good idea to group exhibits by categories and make separate exhibits for each category.  If they are dated, put them in date order within each exhibit.

See also the heading "Exhibits" below for guidance to arrange them.

If there is one exhibit, it could be introduced with words like:

There is now produced and shown to me a paginated bundle of relevant documents marked [exhibit reference] which I will refer to in the course of this statement in the format "[exhibit reference] / page number".

Where there is more than one exhibit, it is a good idea introduce the contents of each exhibit with a summary of its contents.

More on that further down.

Section: The Narrative

This is the business end of the witness statement. Having set out the context of your witness statement, the reason why it was written, the documents that will be referred to, it is time to tell your story.

Everyone drafts witness statements differently. To make it easy to read:

• Use short sentences and paragraphs, where possible
• Keep it as concise and to the point as possible
• Use correct capitalisation and punctuation
• Avoid huge blocks of text
• It's OK to introduce documents and explain them if they need it, but don't provide extensive commentaries or opinions. That is for arguments to be put to the judge at the hearing.

In this narrative, you're telling your story.

You can only give evidence of what is in your personal knowledge. It helps to have documents which back it up. The exceptions include when someone has told you something, and you believe it. Again, preferably with documents, such as emails or instant message transcripts, if they exist.

It really is difficult to overemphasise the importance of making it clear that facts of information and belief (and not within your own personal knowledge), indicating the source for any matters of information and belief. It's an important distinction to make, because one is direct evidence, the other is not.

Other things to bear in mind:

• If you refer to someone, introduce them by giving their full name and position or role with their employer, or some other description to explain why you are mentioning them
• If you refer to a company or incorporated legal entity, state its full name, address and the sort of business it is engaged in (software developers, mechanics, consultants or suppliers as the case may be)
• If you have any doubts or reservations about what you say, state them. You don’t want to be accused of misleading the court by leaving a false impression.

If possible, include answers to questions that you are likely to be asked by someone reading your statement. You’re likely to be asked in cross-examination anyway in due course.

Section: The Ending – The Statement of Truth

Witness statements have to be signed with a statement of truth . The statement of truth for witness statements is:

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.

Statements of truth verify that you believe the facts stated in the  document to be true and accurate: you have an honest belief in the truth of what you say.

You sign and date the witness statement under the statement of truth.

The capacity of the person making the witness statement should be made clear.

For instance, where the claimant is an individual and signs the statement of truth, it might appear like this:

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. ........................................ Ralph Rogers The Claimant [date]

If the witness statement is made for a company which is say the second defendant in the case, it would read like this:

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. [signed] ........................................ Ralph Rogers [Director] [Chief Operating Officer] for the [Second] Defendant [date]

The exhibits should be completed, printed and in front of you, with the witness statement at the time that you sign it. Sure you can do it electronically.

But you'll want the exhibits to be in a single document (usually a PDF), paginated and with the exhibit coversheet so that there can be no confusion about what the exhibits contain. We prefer to print everything and then scan everything after it's all signed. It's a safer approach to avoid muddling the order of documents. 

Nothing should be changed in the document after you sign it. If you want to make changes, you should re-prepare another version for signing and sign it all over again.

Before you serve it. 

The consequences of signing a witness statement or other document verified by a statement of truth -  without a genuine belief in the truth of what is said in it  - are well, serious. 

Changing your witness statement

After you finish and sign your statement, your recollection may change. You need to consider whether you need to put in another witness statement to avoid the other party – and the court – being misled by your witness statement. The changed evidence should be part of a further witness statement, which is served on the other parties.

Statements of truth used for expert evidence differ. The reason is that experts owe an overriding duty to the court. More on that below.

Preparing Exhibits to Witness Statements

Documents which are referred to in a witness statement are organised into one or more exhibits. They are part of the witness statement, although the exhibits may not be attached to it. When you sign the witness statement, each exhibit should be:

• have numbered pages (bottom right-hand corner; "1", "2", "3" and so on), or even better [Exhibit Reference] / [page number], and
• have an exhibit cover-sheet.

The numbered pages allow you to refer to page numbers of the exhibit in your witness statement. You can find the page to the exhibit in your witness statement at hearings quickly.  It is better for both you and the judge (which is the person you’re trying to impress). An index to exhibits really helps as well when they contain many documents, because it helps locate individual documents in large exhibits.

If there are many documents and they can be categorised, they really should be split up into different exhibits. 

Suppose a person named Ralph Rogers makes a witness statement. It has 3 exhibits. Let's say it's his second witness statement. His first witness statement had two exhibits, "RR01" and "RR02".

The exhibits to his second statement would be marked "RR03", "RR04" and "RR05". Each would be stapled separately or put into a folder where there are lots of pages which are too big to be stapled.

Check out the template exhibit cover sheet below.

It is a good idea to exhibit documents in this way because:

• the documents support your case
• it serves as a reminder to you of why you said something in your witness statement
• it's more difficult to criticise your witness statement for lack of documentary support
• you protect yourself by ensuring that what you say is referable to a specific document 
• when you refer to a document, you are able to refer to different parts of it, with the context of what you say in your statement
• if there is anything unusual about the document, you are able to comment on it
• the judge will be able to see what you are talking about, rather than have to work it out or guess what you are talking about (and then seek clarification at the hearing)
• your cross-examination will be either be harder or more focused, because you've kept yourself what you can say, without sounding like a removed strange person that draws wild and baseless conclusions.
• if any of the pages are illegible because the printing is faint, you should type up a copy and exhibit it with the best copy you are able to make of the poor quality document No point putting in evidence that the judge and the other parties can't read
• bundles of letters, emails and messages (such as WhatsApp and text messages) should be in chronological order, so that the earliest letter is at the top and the most recent at the bottom.

Finally, at the same time you sign the statement of truth, you must verify that each exhibit is authentic. You do so by signing (or writing and signing) a statement on the exhibit cover sheet.

The statement usually says:

I verify that this is the exhibit marked '[exhibit reference]' to my [number] witness statement dated [date].

By the way, it's a good idea to spell out the date, rather than use the format "04/05/[year]". You'd use "4 May [year]". 

Writing a Good Witness Statement

The importance of context.

When preparing your witness statement it's a good rule of thumb to exhibit documents to the witness statement which support the facts you state. 

For instance, suppose you are in a case where the other party alleges that you misappropriated their confidential information , and then used it to make a copy their invention.

In this hypothetical, you didn’t. You made it yourself, independently of the other party over a period of months or years.

To make out your defence, you need a witness statement for trial. The court will be interested to find out how you developed your own invention. It would make sense to cover the development process, step-by-step over time.

Turn of Events

You could just tell the story that:

In one month you were doing research, then you created the proof of concept in the next month. After that might come the internal testing and analysis of results. Then you released the minimum viable product and did marketing, testing and received some feedback. And it was after that was the first you heard of the claimant: when they wrote to you claiming that you'd copied their invention.

Bare statements of fact setting out a chronology of events is, well, better than nothing. But it has little weight. There is no independent evidence to support what you say.

Documentary Support for Witness Statements

Let’s say that after you prepare that basic chronology, you go off to your archives. You start looking for documents and materials which support what you say.

Like emails and notes that show the timing of events in the development.

Here’s what you mind find:

• notes of your observations of testing, results of failed tests, notes for improvements
• performance results from proofs of concepts
• versions of the invention
• email communications with potential suppliers
• discussions with others in the market
• social media posts
• photographs of materials used in your research
• contracts with suppliers engaged
• photographs from trade shows

This sort of evidence is "relevant" because it shows – or tends to show – that you were developing and did develop the invention independently of the person who says you didn't.

Think about it.

If evidence of this sort is included, your witness statement moves from being an unsupported story, to one backed by evidence which holds its own weight. And a good arguable defence.

The documents you have found add credibility and believability to the witness statement.

And it's the same with causes of action other than breach of confidentiality , such as the common claims encountered in commercial litigation such as:

• breach of contract
• civil fraud
• negligent misrepresentation
• conversion , or
• conspiracy .

Often a story can be told and details are left out for brevity or impact. Witness statements are not the place to do this. If you know anything and it is left out, which leaves what is said in the witness statement untrue or misleading, you really do need to include the extra information.

You need to be able to stand by the statement and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Crime dramas might have made this sound a bit stale, tied or a bit worn.

You need to re-sensitise yourself to the truth when you are preparing your witness statement.

To get a sense of how courts treat misleading information, check out this article on clean hands .

Self-contained

Ideally, the reader of your witness statement shouldn’t have to refer to any other document to understand your witness statement.

This doesn’t mean duplicating copies of documents across multiple witness statements. For instance, it’s usually quite OK to refer to documents exhibited to someone else’s witness statement.

If any jargon or industry specific language needs to be used, it should be explained succinctly.

So if you need to refer to say, software-as-a-service, you might add that it is services delivered by software from a central server in a web browser, where the user does not have a locally installed copy of the software.

Proofing your Statement

Hopefully, you will not find yourself in a position where you need to sign your witness statement on the same day that you have to file and/or serve it. You're better off if you plan to have a final version ready for proofing 7 days before it needs to be filed and/or served. 

When you are reading over your statement, try to spot ambiguities and gaps in reasoning or the flow of the statement. If there are gaps, fill them in so that each step follows logically and sensibly from the previous statement (or heading). 

If you've told the story - the narrative - in the sequence that they took place (ie chronological order), they'll be obvious.

Don't think that if you mix up the order of events that the other party won't spend time finding the gaps and inconsistencies. Assume that effort will be made, because cross-examination is truly devastating to a witnesses' credibility: ie "believability".

Opinion Evidence

Some straight-talking.

Court decide facts based on the evidence, on the balance of probabilities . Witness statements are used to prove facts which are alleged in statements of case. 

It is not for witnesses to express opinions or arguments. Sure explain the evidence presented if it does not make sense.

One of the unique features of courts is that the judges form their own view from the evidence, and decide the facts. The advocate - usually a barrister if the other party is legally represented - present arguments to the judge based on the evidence before the court. They also make submissions on glaring omissions and inconsistencies in witnesses' evidence.

You really do devalue your witness statement when you state opinions.

If a court needs an opinion, it will make orders in case management directions for the parties to have a qualified expert to receive relevant evidence from the parties and prepare a formal expert report. In that report, the expert may express a reasoned opinion based on the evidence set out in the report.

Otherwise, some courts have some tolerance for opinions. You'll want to make sure the opinion is supported by what you say in your witness statement. This is so that opinion can be proved - or at least demonstrated - objectively.

So your witness statement is not the place for:

• personal opinions
• prejudicial comments criticising others
• opinions on the issues in dispute in the court proceedings, which the court needs to decide.

Try to avoid giving opinions unless you are formally qualified to give one, and it is objectively provable.

The Trial: Some Context

The more important witness statements in legal proceedings are used at the trial. There's a lot to think through and do if you're representing yourself in court.

When you are to appear at the trial as a witness though, you're usually invited to sit in court and listen to the evidence of the other witnesses.

If however some unfair advantage might be obtained – or perceived to be obtained – you might be asked wait outside court until you are called to give evidence.

Above, we mentioned the old procedure of giving evidence in chief orally.

You are at court to be asked questions about what you have said in your statement to assist the court arrive at the truth.

The Truth in Witness Statements

Even if you're a party to the proceedings, it's your overriding duty to tell the unvarnished truth, politely and respectfully. If you start to advocate your own case or take a side, everyone notices.

All witnesses are still sworn in today. Part of the oath or affirmation are the words, that the evidence you will give will be "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth".

Let’s break this down:

• the truth: Simple. Tell the truth.
• the whole truth: Don’t leave anything out that would make your evidence misleading. For instance, if you were told that something happened and didn’t see it yourself, say so.
• nothing but the truth: Don’t twist anything to give the wrong impression.

And so it should be with your witness statement.

Witness statements are taken as the evidence in chief of the witness at the trial unless the court orders otherwise. Evidence in chief is the evidence that the witness gives in support of the case of the litigant for whom the statement was made.

At the trial, witnesses are usually limited to speaking to matters referred to in their witness statement, unless there is a good reason to expand upon those matters.

Witnesses are required to attend court for cross-examination by the opposing parties in the litigation if required to do so by the court or the opposing parties. Where witnesses do not appear for cross-examination, the evidence is treated as hearsay evidence and of no value or weight.

Cross-examination may relate any matter that the witness is able to deal with in respect to the issues in dispute in the litigation and your credibility.

As such, cross-examination is not limited to matters referred to in the witness statement – including statements made outside court which are inconsistent with the evidence given in the witness statement.

When you are questioned in court

The dynamic in court is this.

Barristers ask you questions.

The barrister is really asking questions on behalf of the judge. So when the barrister asks you questions, you look at them.

When you answer the question, you look at the judge.

Once you've completed answering the question, you look back at the person asking you the questions.

• Can you be forced to give a witness statement? 
• What can happen if you do not go to court?
• Are witness statements confidential?
• Are Witness Statements on the Public Record?  
• Who gets to see witness statements?  
• What if a witness statement is not signed?
• Differences: Affidavits vs Witness Statements
• Can a witness statement be signed electronically?
• Can you withdraw or retract a witness statement?  
• What is a Lay Witness Statement?  
• What is Expert Evidence?  
• What is the Statement of Truth that experts have to sign?  
• Is a Witness Statement a Statement of Case?

How Witness Statements (and witnesses) are tested

You may wonder how courts assess witness statements and your performance in court.

There are a few established and fundamental principles on how courts go about testing witness statements and the evidence given by witnesses.

Credibility of Witnesses

One of the central concepts here is credibility.

Where a witness maintains their credibility, they are more likely to be believed. Witnesses are assessed in the same way the evidence presented in their witness statement (ie scrutinised to the nth degree) and their performance in the witness box under cross-examination.

Again, the court’s overall job is to decide the truth.

Courts have long recognised that it is difficult to tell whether a witness is telling the truth or not. Courts can take into account any material before the court, and the behaviour of the witness in court.

Judges do this for a living. They are good at it.

Common-sense also plays a large part when assessing a witness, especially where there is a conflict in the evidence. A witness’s motives and overall probabilities of what they say also plays a large part: Robert Goff LJ in  The Ocean Frost ( Armagas Ltd v Mundogas SA [1985] UKHL 11) .

And then, the barristers will be able to make comments on any witness’s performance in the witness box in closing submissions, long after the witness has left court.

Basic methods of checking evidence which are likely to take place include:

• independently provable facts: What you say against will be checked against facts and events which are provable independently of what you say. You can bet that what you say in a witness statement will be checked against all other documentation available, some of which you may not have seen or even know about.
• considering the overall probabilities of what you say: The more unreal and far-fetched your statement of fact, the better your evidence needs to be to prove it. The test here is the balance of probabilities . The balance of probabilities means that the court is satisfied an event occurred if the court considers that, on the evidence, the occurrence of the event was more likely than not. Is it more likely that your story (or part of it) took place, or another person’s version of events on the evidence available? Or none of them?
• supporting evidence for serious allegations: This is an extension of what is said above, or a special case. Courts will assess the inherent probability or improbability of an event. It of itself is a matter to be taken into account when weighing the likelihood of what you say against the other evidence available. This does not mean that serious allegations require a higher standard of proof. Basically, the more improbable the event, the stronger must be the evidence to prove it.  Much depends on the context within which the events are said to have happened. In the case of In Re Dellow’s Will Trusts [1964] 1 WLR 451 it was said, "The more serious the allegation the more cogent is the evidence required to overcome the unlikelihood of what is alleged and thus to prove it".
• whether the witness has lied in respect of a particular part of the case or all of the evidence given
• it may be that the entire case is a lie
• witnesses may lie in "a stupid attempt" to bolster a case.
• cross-examination: Witnesses must be challenged with the other side's case the other side disagrees with the evidence given. This involves putting the case positively, such as "you knew that the traffic light was red, and not green as you say here, don’t you?". Questions like this are an ordinary part of cross-examination. The court is testing your version of events. First it gives you the opportunity to deal with an opposing view or inconsistency. It gives the judge an opportunity to assess your performance on critical issues in dispute, and your demeanour and in the overall context of the litigation.

For these reasons, if your view is inconsistent or at odds with documents before the court, you are likely to be asked questions about it.

This is probably the most important part of cross-examination.

The more serious or outlandish the allegation, the better the evidence needs to be. Trivial or inconsequential statements in evidence are less likely to require documentary support.

If a fact or event is in issue (ie the parties disagree), documentation is likely to be essential. Then documentation created at the time of the event is almost invariably more valuable than documentation created after the event.

Template Downloads:

• Template: Witness Statement
• Template: Exhibit cover sheet 

Make sure you check out this to make sure you have got it right here before you sign off on the statement.

Disputes & Litigation Solicitors

We are experienced civil and commercial civil disputes solicitors , that have been tasked with preparing witness statements and affidavits for applications for interim injunctions and trials in business disputes.

We've seen - and orchestrated - destabilising witness evidence, and picking apart the credibility of witnesses in civil matters. 

As a commercial litigation law firm, we've advised clients on civil lawsuits in many areas of law, including intellectual property, commercial contract disputes, trademarks, trade secrets & fraud claims.

If you're headed for the trial as a witness in a civil dispute or an expert asked to give evidence, or are likely to receive unwelcome questions about what is said in your witness statement, contact us on +44 20 7036 9282 or [email protected] for support to sort out your witness statement to:

• help check it over before you sign it
• minimise the potential of harsh cross-examination
• assess the credibility of your evidence, and how it can be improved 
• check whether you've gone too far in what you've said, or
• need to recover from a position that you'd prefer not to be in. 

It may be that you'd prefer to talk through giving evidence, what to look out for and the tricks of the trade in cross-examination that can catch you out. 

Although we can't tell you what you should say or not say to a court, a better informed witness is usually a better witness for the party you give evidence for.

1.      Can you be forced to give a witness statement?

The simple answer is no.

However with most things in law, it's not that simple.

A party can ask the court to issue witness summons.

These used to be called subpoenas. A witness summons compels the witness to attend court to either:

• give oral evidence, or
• produce documents to the court.

2.      What can happen if you do not go to court?

It would be a contempt of court not to appear on the date specified in a witness summons.

Also, if you still do not appear, you may be ordered to pay the costs wasted by the parties for your failure to appear. Where the parties are legally represented, sum is likely to be significant.

3.      Are witness statements confidential? 

Once your witness statement is served , it may only be used for the legal proceedings for which it is produced.

That rule applies unless or until:

• you give your permission (in writing) for your statement to be used for another purpose, other than in the proceedings for which it was made
• the court gives permission for it to be used for another purpose, or
• the witness statement has been put into evidence at a hearing to be held in public, ie in open court. At that stage any confidentiality which once existed in the document is lost.

4. Are Witness Statements on the Public Record?

The short answer is: almost. 

Witness statements are accessible by parties to proceedings by making an application to the court to inspect the Court's file. In the High Court, these sorts of applications are heard by a Master.

The situation is different with persons who are not parties to the specific proceedings. This includes interested third-parties, newspapers, reporters and journalists.

However, restrictions apply to documents which can be obtained from the Court file.

The following are usually able to be obtained without much trouble, by anyone:

• Statements of Case , which includes the Claim Forms, Particulars of Claim, Defence, Reply to the Defence, Counterclaims, Defence to Counterclaim, Reply to Defence to the Counterclaim and Further Information and Clarification
• Judgments and Orders made in public are usually able to be obtained without much trouble.

Witness statements, communications between the parties, and the parties and third parties are available for production from the public record provided the court gives permission.

An application notice must be filed to obtain that permission. A hearing is likely to be required.

A party and/or any person named in a witness statement may apply for an order that production of the witness statement is:

• not available to person who is not a party to the proceedings
• restricted to specified classes of person or named persons  
• subject to removal, redaction or otherwise edited in accordance with the order of the court prior to production

In every case, the court will want to know why the application is made, and most likely what uses to which the witness statement will be put, if access is granted. 

5.      Who gets to see witness statements?

Firstly, the party that asked you to prepare the statement will have a copy. If they are legally represented, their solicitors will see it. If they have a barrister, they will see it too.

If there are other witnesses, it may be that they shown your witness statement. Then the party that asked you to prepare it will see it.

It may be that your witness statement is relevant to an expert report which an expert needs to prepare for the trial. The expert would also receive a copy.

As part of the preparation for trial, case management directions are made early in the case.

These case management directions set the timetable for different stages, usually up to the trial. The trial is when the solicitors, witnesses and expert witnesses appear before a judge so that the case heard and the judge can decide the case.

The case management directions will require the parties to exchange witness statements. A date is fixed for exchange in the case management directions. At that stage the other side will receive a copy. If the other side is represented their solicitors, barrister and perhaps an expert may also see it.

When you appear at the trial for cross-examination, the judge will also have a copy. 

The Civil Procedure Rules also provide that a party must have copies of witness statements available for members of the public. This is so that the public are able to follow what happens in court. So, members of the public may also receive a copy.

6.      What if a witness statement is not signed?

In our language, the witness statement:

• would carry "no weight" because it is not endorsed - or verified - by a statement of truth
• may be excluded from evidence which the party is able to rely on altogether at the trial.

That means that the statements made in the witness statement could not be relied upon for the truth of what is said in the witness statement.

Courts also have the power to order the witness to verify the document with a statement of truth.

7.      Differences: Affidavits vs Witness Statements

There are several differences between witness statements and affidavits.

The main ones are:

• The form of an affidavit is slightly different to a witness statement. An affidavit commences with the words "I, [name], [occupation], say on oath: ...". In witness statements, the witness starts with, "I, [name], [occupation], will say as follows: ...".
• Affidavits must be sworn before a solicitor, legal executive or public notary
• Affidavits contain a jurat, whereas witness statements are endorsed with a statement of truth.

Affidavits are used in applications for Freezing Orders and Search orders:

• Freezing Orders are court orders that prevent a person from disposing or dissipating their assets.
• Search Orders effectively permit a litigant to search someone's premises for evidence relevant to proceedings.

In all other proceedings, witness statements are perfectly acceptable, unless a judge directs that affidavits be filed (with the court) and served (on the other parties). 

8.      Can a witness statement be signed electronically?

The short answer is yes. Or at least: we've never had a problem with electronic signatures.

However, a proper procedure should be adopted so that if anyone questions whether the witness statement was signed properly.

The process should be verifiable – to show that the witness signed the statement (rather than somebody else). An email trail which shows that process of signing helps.

It goes without saying that if the witness statement was signed, no changes should be made to it after it is signed. It should be re-made, although there is a procedure to hand-mark edits. It's not a recommended course.

We've seen witnesses cross-examined on witness statements which have been changed, or revised in further witness statements after they've had a "re-think".

It’s not pretty, if you're on the opposing side.

9.      Can you withdraw or retract a witness statement?

Once a witness statement is approved by signing the statement of truth, it is your witness statement. It is your responsibility as deponent to ensure that your evidence is truthful.

Keeping to the suggestions above can help steer clear from problems preparing it in the first place, but in the final analysis the witness is responsible for what they endorse with a statement of truth.

If you have any reservations about your witness statement it should be revised before you sign it. This also applies when there is anything misleading in your witness statement.

It's the court’s job to arrive at the truth.

If you have made a witness statement and no longer wish to give evidence, see the comments above on witness summonses.

10.      What is a Lay Witness Statement?

These are sometimes referred to witnesses of fact.

Although it sounds silly, "lay evidence" and "lay witness statements" is evidence given by a person who is not appointed as an expert witness in the proceedings. To tell the difference between expert evidence and lay evidence, here's the terminology:

• "expert evidence" is given by an expert appointed by the court under CPR 35 . The evidence is almost invariably given by witness statement (rather by affidavit). The appointment of the expert will take place with the permission of the court. The permission is given in case management directions - these directions are usually made at the first case management conference .
• "lay evidence" is given by a person who is not an expert for the purposes of the proceedings. A "lay witness statement" is a witness statement made by a person who is not an expert.

Suppose you are:

• a fully qualified and experienced civil engineer; and
• the claimant in your own legal case.

You can't be an expert in your own case involving work which is the subject of the legal proceedings. That's because you would be perceived to be biased (even if you aren't).

Suppose you have a friend who is a civil engineer.

Your friend wants you to give evidence as an expert in his case. You can't (or at least shouldn't accept the appointment), because you wouldn't be seen to be independent of your friend, because of your prior relationship.

11.      What is Expert Evidence?

Lay witnesses have a limited ability to give opinions in their evidence. For the most part opinion evidence is inadmissible. It is likely be challenged by the other party, simply because lay witnesses are not qualified to give opinions in court.

While there may be some leeway on the general rule, sometimes it's best just to leave it out. The facts stated in your statement should speak for itself. Let the qualified experts give their opinion if the court wants it.

Experts have greater and overriding responsibilities to the court when they give evidence.

Although they give evidence for party that briefs them, experts owe an overriding duty to the court, and should confirm that they have done what they are meant to, in addition to the statement of truth .

Those responsibilities transcend any perceived obligations to the party for which they give evidence.  See Phillips v Symes (2004). 

12. Is a Witness Statement a Statement of Case?

Statements of case are prepared by parties to allege facts of the case on which they rely to succeed in their legal claim: their cause of action . 

Witness statements are there to proof the facts of alleged in the statement of case .

When a statement of case is signed - endorsed with a statement of truth - the statement of case can be used as evidence of any of the matters set out in it.

If you've worked through what is set out above, you may realise that:

• witness statements and statements of case serve fundamentally different purposes
• the role of a statement of case as evidence is limited. There is very little to decide a fact on the balance of probabilities based on a statement of case, because there will be little evidence of the allegation in the statement of case (which would appear in a witness statement)

The court rules allow statements of case (such as particulars of claim or a defence) to be used as a matter of convenience. If an issue is dispute between the parties, a judge will be looking to receive independent evidence from the party to satisfy the burden of proof.  Not rely on what is said in a statement of case.

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The dos and don’ts of writing a personal statement for law

Avoid legal jargon – and be aware of what is (and isn’t) covered on the course

I f you’re interested in the intricacies of a criminal mind, don’t bother putting it in your personal statement for law, says Pamela Thomas, admissions tutor and law lecturer at Birmingham City University. “Students often write about the psychology of criminals in their statement, but that’s really criminology rather than law. Before you start writing, make sure you know what’s covered in the course.”

Another way to irk admissions tutors is to write about your “passion” without any supporting evidence. To really show your enthusiasm, the opening statement should be based on your experiences and how they shaped your ambition to study law, says Dr Martina McClean, legal admissions tutor for the University of Hull.

Whether you’re interested in family, criminal or EU law, you need to immediately pique admissions tutors’ interest and convince them you’re right for the course. So what should you include? And what are the mistakes to avoid?

Make your first paragraph memorable: The key points to cover in your first paragraph are: “why law?” and “which aspects of law interest you?” says Thomas. And your opening sentence needs to immediately grab the reader’s attention. “Admissions tutors are looking for active, engaged learners with enquiring minds. Write about how you have reflected about an experience, what type of questions you had and how you went about finding answers,” says McClean.

Be curious: Seek out opportunities to learn more about law and mention this in your application. “You could visit your local courts and talk about what you learned from the experience. They are open all year and free to attend,” says Deborah Ives, senior lecturer in employment law at the University of East Anglia.

Another way to show you’re committed to law is to draw on everyday life. “You could tell a story about a work placement in a local supermarket and how complaints were handled there,” says McClean. “This may have inspired you to look up consumer protection laws and reflect on dispute resolution mechanisms, for example.”

Show you’re hard working: Use your personal statement to show off your work ethic. Imogen Goold, associate professor and admissions co-ordinator at the University of Oxford, says that if you mention extra-curricular activities, such as sports or positions of responsibility, you should “do it in a way that demonstrates that you can stick with something difficult”.

Writing about volunteering or doing work experience will show you’re proactive, says McClean. The placement doesn’t have to be law-related, but try to relate your experiences to the legal profession.

Be honest: “We want the statement to give us an insight into who you are, not who you think we think you should be,” says Goold. Our tutors recommend resisting school or parental help. “We want to hear your voice. A statement that is overly sophisticated for a 17-year-old stands out and gives us cause for concern,” adds Ives.

What not to do

Don’t fixate on criminal justice: “Criminal law is a small part of a law degree,” says Ives. Yet this is what admissions tutors often see written about in statements. Instead, talk about a variety of law specialisms, such as civil rights, intellectual property or immigration law. “We want students who understand the breadth of the law and how it influences day-to-day life.”

Avoid jargon: Words are all you have in law and clarity is essential, so you shouldn’t overuse legal concepts or jargon, says Ives. “Tell the reader about yourself in simple and clear language,” says McLean And make sure you proofread your statement so it is clear, accurate and authentic.

Don’t plagiarise: Admission tutors read hundreds of statements, so they are likely to notice if yours is similar to something written online. “Stay away from the internet. When you receive 1500 statements a year, it’s easy to see where copying has taken place,” says Ives.

Don’t be formulaic: “We don’t have a checklist of things we want to see that you’ve done, and we don’t penalise you if you haven’t done work experience or don’t have lots of extra-curricular activities,” says Goold. “You don’t need to include a quotation, or list the law books you’ve read. Just tell us why law is for you.”

Thomas agrees: “We often get people writing a philosophical quote about law – which really doesn’t add anything to their application.”

Ives adds that you should avoid writing long lists of work experience. “We want to know about you. It is not the quantity but what you thought of the experience and how you have learned from it that counts.”

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Home Resources Personal & Family What is an Affidavit?

Seven Simple Steps to Write An Affidavit

Updated May 5, 2023 | Written by Gold Tetsola Reviewed by Brooke Davis

Understanding an affidavit is essential for anyone involved in business, finance, or law.

Sometimes referred to as an affidavit of fact, an affidavit of truth, or a sworn affidavit, this document can be used in divorce, child support claims, and estate division proceedings.

Whatever it’s being used for, an affidavit is always a written statement of fact that an individual voluntarily swears to be true.

Here we explain the meaning of an affidavit, the different formats, and their practical uses. And finally, a six-step approach to writing it.

What is an Affidavit?

An affidavit is a legal commitment to telling the truth under oath , and you can be tried for perjury in court if you lie on it.

While many affidavits exist, general affidavits are used alongside witness statements to verify relevant information during court proceedings.

For quick reference, a signed affidavit form must include the following:

• Affiant : the individual signing the document and swearing the information is valid.
• Affirmation : a written statement of events exactly as they happened and that the affiant believes is true.
• Witnesses : impartial third parties formally certifying they were present when the affiant signed the affidavit.
• A penalty of perjury : a statement declaring that the affiant can be tried in court if their testimony is proven false.
• Notary public : a public official who will sign the affidavit and authenticate the oath and affirmation of the affiant.
• Attachments : any additional documents that support the sworn testimony of the affidavit.

Types of Affidavit

There is a general process for writing an affidavit, but they come in different formats to meet the demands of specific cases. Here are some examples of the other formats affidavits may take:

Here are the following most common types:

Affidavit of Domicile

An affidavit of domicile isn’t likely to be a document you’re familiar with unless you’ve been named an executor of an estate. You’ll need this affidavit to attest that the deceased person (whose estate you’ve been named executor) lived at their declared primary residence in such an event.

This verification is needed to transfer ownership of specific properties like stocks and securities efficiently. With this document, an executor can legally transfer a deceased person’s residence to the newly appointed owner.

Check out our Affidavit of Domicile form ➜

Affidavit of Heirship

Typically used during the probate process, an affidavit of heirship verifies that someone had a familial relationship with the deceased. This helps speed up property distribution after a family member passes away.

It will also help to have one if you wish to establish your right to an inheritance and speed up the distribution of the deceased person’s property to beneficiaries.

Additionally, you can use an Affidavit of Death to close financial accounts, take ownership of property, or receive entitlements after somebody has died.

Check out our Affidavit of Heirship form ➜

Affidavit of Marriage

An Affidavit of Marriage declares that two individuals are legally married. It provides a legal wedding record that can be used in various situations, such as immigration, insurance, and property rights.

A couple can use it instead of a lost marriage certificate. So, it is necessary for insurance issues and to apply for a visa and financial accounts.

Financial Affidavit

A financial affidavit or financial disclosure affidavit is used to attest to someone’s finances. It contains all relevant information about the person’s finances, like total income, debts, and expenses.

Finances & Property Transfers

• Financial Affidavit – details your financial circumstances.
• Affidavit of Domicile – used to transfer ownership of securities from a deceased person.
• Affidavit of Title – used to assert rightful ownership of property.
• Gift Affidavit – used to prove you’re giving property to another party without a commercial exchange.

Check out our Financial Affidavit form ➜

Affidavit of residence.

An affidavit of residence proves that you or someone else lived at a stated address.

This type of statement is used for multiple purposes — for instance, your made-up neighbor, David, wants to enroll their child at the public school Alpha Academy while David applies for college.

He’ll need to provide this affidavit when registering his child in public school or using it for in-state tuition rates for college.

Your housing zone typically determines public school placement and tuition; an affidavit of residence is needed to verify your address.

Check out our Affidavit of Residency form ➜

Affidavit of Death

When individuals pass away, they often leave behind unfinished tasks that must be taken care of. With an affidavit of death, another party (usually a close friend, family member, or legal professional) can verify the deceased personal information and date of death to handle any remaining legal or financial affairs efficiently.

Check out our Affidavit of Death form ➜

Affidavit of Title

This affidavit is used during real estate transactions. Unlike a quitclaim deed , the seller owns a given property and isn’t currently undergoing bankruptcy. The form must state that information if any liens are held on the property.

An affidavit of title further protects the buyer by attesting that they’re the sole recipients of the property and that no other person or party has a claim to the real estate in question.

Check out our Affidavit of Title form ➜

Affidavit of Service

Unless you’ve been on the receiving end of a lawsuit, you haven’t had to deal with an affidavit of service — though you’ve likely seen someone being “served” in movies or courtroom dramas. If you’re party to a case where another party claims not to have received service of court notice, summons, writ, or process, you can draft an affidavit of service.

Process servers (someone tasked with delivering critical legal papers) use this affidavit to verify that the recipient was given relevant documents, such as an official summons to appear in court due to a lawsuit.

Check out our Affidavit of Service form ➜

Small Estate Affidavit

In a typical estate planning document of the probate process (when a court validates a last will), a small estate affidavit helps expedite the property distribution process of a deceased individual.

In case the estate of the deceased is below a specific value (dependent on state law), this form can quickly transfer property to beneficiaries.

Expensive items like vehicles or real estate aren’t usually included in small estate affidavits. They tend to exceed the amount the state allows and must be transferred through other means.

Check out our Small Estate Affidavit form ➜

Affidavit of Identity

An affidavit of identity is used to verify who you claim to be. Banks or other financial institutions frequently use this affidavit to certify your identity. You may need to supply an affidavit of residence for court cases, school enrollment, and financial institutions requiring proof of residence.

Standard identification documents can be easily falsified (like a driver’s license), so they don’t have solid legal standing in court.

Check out our Affidavit of Identity form ➜

Gift Affidavit

This sworn legal document verifies that you’ve willingly transferred property ownership to another person as a gift.

While not required in some states, a gift affidavit helps guarantee the recipient was given the property free and clear and that the donor hasn’t been wrongfully coerced into giving the property away.

Check out our Gift Affidavit form ➜

Affidavit of Support

An affidavit of support is a contract signed by somebody (often a relative or prospective employer) who agrees to provide financial support for a named intending immigrant.

This person becomes the immigrant’s sponsor once they become a legal permanent resident.

Self-Proving Affidavit

To outline the details of an event for submission as evidence in a court case, you (or, more likely, a detective or police officer) would use an affidavit of witness.

A self-proving affidavit is a document, signed by you and two witnesses, that confirms that the witnesses saw you sign your will and that it’s legally valid.

How to Write an Affidavit in 6 Steps

If you need to write an affidavit to support a legal or business proceeding, you’ll need to include the following details on your statement:

• A title and a caption
• An introduction to the affiant (the person writing the affidavit)
• Sworn confirmation that the facts presented in the affidavit are true
• Additional points related to the affidavit
• Any relevant exhibits or evidence
• A notarized signature

Here we outline an approach to writing your affidavit and then define different formats and their various uses:

Step 1 – Title the affidavit and include a caption.

Start your affidavit with a title that captures what it’s about. For example, you could start with “Affidavit of,” followed by your name.

In the caption, include the name and location of the court. If there’s a court case involved, have the case title, the names of the defendant(s) and the plaintiff(s), and the case number.

Step 2 – Introduce the affiant.

After the title and caption, the next section is a statement of the affiant’s identity. State your name, age, gender, occupation, place of residence, and relationship to the litigant .

Step 3 -Provide sworn confirmation of the facts.

Before you outline the facts, you must swear that what you’re about to report is true to your knowledge. Remember, this is the written equivalent of swearing under oath in court.

After you’ve listed the facts, you may reconfirm your sworn statement at the end of your affidavit.

Step 4 – List the facts.

This section of your affidavit should be written or typed in plain language, without embellishments or statements of personal opinion. Using the first person (“I”), outline the essential facts chronologically.

Step 5 – Include any relevant exhibits.

If other documents need to be referenced, label them in a numbered sequence in your affidavit. These may include bank statements, receipts, or other documents. Only have relevant items.

Step 6 – Have the affiant’s signature that is notarized.

The final step before signing an affidavit is to get it notarized. Some state laws permit remote notarization, but most states require you to have your affidavit notarized in the physical presence of a notary public or other officer with legal authority to administer an oath.

Remember to bring some form of official identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, to prove your identity to the notary.

Step 7 – Sign your affidavit.

Once you complete the previous steps, you can sign your affidavit in the notary’s presence. Both you and the notary will need to sign the following:

• Any changes or alterations made to the document in the presence of the notary
• Each page of the document
• The affidavit itself
• Any exhibits or additional evidence you’ve included

You can also download affidavit templates for various uses and see precisely what a completed affidavit looks like. You fill out the relevant details before notarizing the document.

The Purpose of Having a Legal Affidavit

A properly written, signed, and notarized affidavit is crucial for many legal processes. So it’s essential to understand all the implications before you agree to sign one.

This document proves to be very versatile. Whether you’re verifying your address for a school application or proving you’re related to a deceased family member to receive property left in their will, you’ll find yourself using some affidavit.

Gold Tetsola

Personal & Family Editor

Gold Tetsola is a staff writer at LegalTemplates, his BA in English Literature & Language inspires him to navigate and simplify the complex issues of personal and family law.

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How to Write a Personal Statement (with Tips and Examples)

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

What is a personal statement, 6 tips on how to write a personal statement, personal statement examples (for college and university), faqs about writing personal statements, conclusion on how to write a personal statement.

How do you tell someone who you are in just a few hundred words?

It’s certainly no easy task, but it’s one almost every college applicant must do. The personal statement is a crucial part of any college or university application.

So, how do you write a compelling personal statement?

In this article, we’ll give you all the tools, tips, and examples you need to write an effective personal statement.

A personal statement is a short essay that reveals something important about who you are. It can talk about your background, your interests, your values, your goals in life, or all of the above.

Personal statements are required by many college admission offices and scholarship selection committees. They’re a key part of your application, alongside your academic transcript, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities.

The reason application committees ask you to write a personal statement is so they can get to know who you are. 

Some personal statements have specific prompts, such as “Discuss a period of personal growth in your life” or “Tell us about a challenge or failure you’ve faced.” Others are more open-ended with prompts that essentially boil down to “Tell us about yourself.”

No matter what the prompt is, your goal is the same: to make yourself stand out to the selection committee as a strong candidate for their program.

Here are some things a personal statement can be:

It can be funny. If you have a great sense of humor, your personal statement is a great place to let that shine.  

It can be vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to open up about hardships in your life or failures you’ve experienced. Showing vulnerability can make you sound more like a real person rather than just a collection of application materials.  

It can be creative. Candidates have got into top schools with personal statements that take the form of “a day in the life” descriptions, third-person short stories, and even cooking recipes.

Now we’ve talked about what a personal statement is, let’s quickly look at what a personal statement isn’t:

It isn’t a formal academic paper. You should write the personal statement in your natural voice, using first-person pronouns like “I” and “me,” not in the formal, objective language you would use to write an academic paper.

It isn’t a five-paragraph essay. You should use as many paragraphs as you need to tell your story instead of sticking to the essay structure you learned in school.

It isn’t a resumé. You should try to describe yourself by telling a clear and cohesive story rather than providing a jumbled list of all of your accomplishments and ambitions.

Here are our top six tips for writing a strong personal statement.

Tip 1: Do Some Serious Self-Reflection

The hardest part of writing a personal statement isn’t the actual process of writing it.

Before you start typing, you have to figure out what to write about. And that means taking some time to reflect on who you are and what’s important in your life.

Here are some useful questions you can use to start your self-reflection. You can either answer these on your own by writing down your answers, or you can ask a trusted friend to listen as you talk about them together.

What were the key moments that shaped your life? (e.g. an important friendship, a travel experience, an illness or injury)

What are you proud of? (e.g. you’re a good listener, you always keep your promises, you’re a talented musician)

How do you choose to spend your time? (e.g. reading, practicing soccer, spending time with your friends)

What inspires you? (e.g. your grandmother, a celebrity, your favorite song)

Doing this self-reflection is crucial for figuring out the perfect topics and anecdotes you can use to describe who you are.

Tip 2: Try to Avoid Cliché Topics

College application committees read thousands of personal statements a year. That means there are some personal statement topics they see over and over again.

Here are a few examples of common personal statement topics that have become cliché:

Winning a tournament or sports game

Volunteering in a foreign country

Moving to a new home

Becoming an older sibling

Being an immigrant or having immigrant parents

If you want to make a strong impression in the application process, you need to make your personal statement stand out from the crowd.

But if your chosen personal statement topic falls into one of these categories, that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t use it. Just make sure to put a unique spin on it so it still delivers something the committee hasn’t seen before.

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Tip 3: Show, Don’t Tell

One common mistake you might make in your personal statement is to simply tell the reader what you want them to know about you, such as by stating “I have a fear of public speaking” or “I love to cook.”

Instead of simply stating these facts, you should show the committee what you’re talking about through a story or scene, which will make your essay much more immersive and memorable.

For example, let’s say you want the committee to know you overcame your fear of public speaking. Instead of writing “I overcame my fear of public speaking,” show them what it was like to be onstage in front of a microphone. Did your palms get clammy? Did you feel light-headed? Did you forget your words?

Or let’s say you want the committee to know you love to cook. Instead of writing “I love to cook,” show them why you love to cook. What’s your favorite dish to cook? What does the air smell like when you’re cooking it? What kitchen appliances do you use to make it?

Tip 4: Connect the Story to Why You’re Applying

Don’t forget that the purpose of your personal statement isn’t simply to tell the admissions committee who you are. That’s an important part of it, of course, but your ultimate goal is to convince them to choose you as a candidate.

That means it’s important to tie your personal story to your reasons for applying to this specific school or scholarship. Finish your essay with a strong thesis.

For example, if your story is about overcoming your fear of public speaking, you might connect that story to your ambition of becoming a politician. You can then tie that to your application by saying, “I want to apply to this school because of its fantastic politics program, which will give me a perfect opportunity to use my voice.”

Tip 5: Write in Your Own Voice

The personal statement isn’t supposed to be written in a formal tone. That’s why they’re called “personal” statements because you have to shape it to fit your own voice and style.

Don’t use complicated or overwrought language. You don’t need to fill your essay with semicolons and big words, unless that’s how you sound in real life.

One way to write in your own voice is by speaking your personal statement out loud. If it doesn’t feel natural, it may need changing. 

Tip 6: Edit, Edit, Edit!

It’s important to revise your personal statement multiple times in order to make sure it’s as close to perfect as possible.

A single typo won’t kill your application, but if your personal statement contains multiple spelling errors or egregious grammar mistakes, you won’t be putting your best foot forward.

ProWritingAid can help you make sure your personal statement is as clean as possible. In addition to catching your grammar errors, typos, and punctuation mistakes, it will also help you improve weaknesses in your writing, such as passive voice, unnecessary repetition, and more.

Let’s look at some of the best personal statements that have worked for successful candidates in the real world. 

Harvard Personal Statement Example

Love. For a word describing such a powerful emotion, it is always in the air. The word “love” has become so pervasive in everyday conversation that it hardly retains its roots in blazing passion and deep adoration. In fact, the word is thrown about so much that it becomes difficult to believe society isn’t just one huge, smitten party, with everyone holding hands and singing “Kumbaya.” In films, it’s the teenage boy’s grudging response to a doting mother. At school, it’s a habitual farewell between friends. But in my Chinese home, it’s never uttered. Watching my grandmother lie unconscious on the hospital bed, waiting for her body to shut down, was excruciatingly painful. Her final quavering breaths formed a discordant rhythm with the steady beep of hospital equipment and the unsympathetic tapping hands of the clock. That evening, I whispered—into unhearing ears—the first, and only, “I love you” I ever said to her, my rankling guilt haunting me relentlessly for weeks after her passing. My warm confession seemed anticlimactic, met with only the coldness of my surroundings—the blank room, impassive doctors, and empty silence. I struggled to understand why the “love” that so easily rolled off my tongue when bantering with friends dissipated from my vocabulary when I spoke to my family. Do Chinese people simply love less than Americans do?

This is an excerpt from a personal statement that got the applicant admitted to Harvard University. The applicant discusses her background as a Chinese-American by musing on the word “love” and what that means within her family.

The writer uses vulnerable details about her relationship with her grandmother to give the reader an understanding of where she comes from and how her family has shaped her.  

You can read the full personal statement on the Harvard Crimson website.

Tufts Personal Statement Example

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry’s “Cars and Trucks and Things That Go,” and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon. Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration. Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear. I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

This is the beginning of a personal statement by Renner Kwittken, who was admitted into Tufts University as a pre-medical student.

Renner uses a humorous anecdote about being a pickle truck driver to describe his love for nanomedicine and how he got involved in his field. You can feel his passion for medicine throughout his personal statement.

You can find Renner’s full essay on the Tufts Admissions page.

Law School Personal Statement Essay Example

For most people, the slap on the face that turns their life around is figurative. Mine was literal. Actually, it was a punch delivered by a drill sergeant at Fort Dix, New Jersey, while I was in basic training. That day’s activity, just a few weeks into the program, included instruction in “low-crawling,” a sensible method of moving from one place to another on a battlefield. I felt rather clever for having discovered that, by looking right rather than down, I eliminated my helmet’s unfortunate tendency to dig into the ground and slow my progress. I could thus advance more easily, but I also exposed my unprotected face to hostile fire. Drill sergeants are typically very good at detecting this type of laziness, and mine was an excellent drill sergeant. So, after his repeated suggestions that I correct my performance went unheeded, he drove home his point with a fist to my face. We were both stunned. This was, after all, the New Army, and striking a trainee was a career-ending move for a drill sergeant, as we were both aware. I could have reported him; arguably, I should have. I didn’t. It didn’t seem right for this good sergeant, who had not slept for almost four days, to lose his career for losing his temper with my laziness. Choosing not to report him was the first decision I remember making that made me proud.

These are the first three paragraphs of an anonymous personal statement by a Wheaton College graduate, who used this personal statement to get into a top-25 law school.

This statement describes a time the applicant faced a challenging decision while in the army. He ended up making a decision he was proud of, and as a result, the personal statement gives us a sense of his character.

You can find the full essay on the Wheaton Academics website.

Here are some common questions about how to write a personal statement.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

The length of your personal statement depends on the specific program you’re applying to. The application guidelines usually specify a maximum word count or an ideal word count.  

Most personal statements are between 500–800 words. That’s a good general range to aim for if you don’t have more specific guidelines.  

Should Personal Statements Be Different for Scholarships?

Many scholarship applications will ask for personal statements with similar prompts to those of college applications.

However, the purpose of a personal statement you’d write for a scholarship application is different from the purpose of one you’d write for a college application.

For a scholarship application, your goal is to showcase why you deserve the scholarship. To do that, you need to understand the mission of the organization offering that scholarship.

For example, some scholarships are meant to help first-generation college students get their degree, while others are meant to help women break into STEM.

Consider the following questions:

Why is this organization offering scholarships?

What would their ideal scholarship candidate look like?

How do your experiences and goals overlap with those of their ideal scholarship candidate?

You can use the same personal anecdotes you’d use for any other personal statement, but you’ll have a better chance of winning the scholarship if you tailor your essay to match their specific mission.

How to Start a Personal Statement

You should start your personal statement with a “hook” that pulls the reader in. The sooner you catch the reader’s attention, the more likely they’ll want to read the entire essay.

Here are some examples of hooks you can use:

A story (e.g. When the spotlight hit my face, I tried to remind myself to breathe. )

A setting description (e.g. My bedroom floor is covered with dirty laundry, candy wrappers, and crumpled sheet music. )

A funny anecdote (e.g. When I was a little kid, my friends nicknamed me Mowgli because of my haircut. )

A surprising fact (e.g. I've lived in 37 countries .)

There you have it—our complete guide to writing a personal statement that will make you stand out to the application committee.

Here’s a quick recap: 

A personal statement is a short essay that shows an application committee who you are

Start with a strong hook that pulls the reader in

Tell a story to engage the reader 

Write in your own voice, not in a formal tone

Good luck, and happy writing!

Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her painting watercolors, playing her ukulele, or hiking in the Rockies. Follow her work on hannahyang.com or on Twitter at @hannahxyang.

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Court Personal Statements Samples For Students

7 samples of this type

No matter how high you rate your writing skills, it's always a good idea to check out a competently written Personal Statement example, especially when you're handling a sophisticated Court topic. This is precisely the case when WowEssays.com database of sample Personal Statements on Court will come in useful. Whether you need to think up a fresh and meaningful Court Personal Statement topic or survey the paper's structure or formatting peculiarities, our samples will provide you with the required material.

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Passion For Law Personal Statement Example

Personal statement, trinity law school re-admission essay personal statement examples.

In the past months, I have been working at the Gene Ramos law office as a legal assistant under the attorney’s office. Primarily, the firm focuses on wrongful termination and personal injury. The legal knowledge accrued from my studies has been instrumental in the cases I have been handling. Further, the guidance I receive from the attorney and the experience I have gained from resolving client’s legal matters continue to inspire me to achieve my dream of becoming an attorney, or as I now refer to as a guardian of the people and custodian of the law.

Example Of Admission Statement Personal Statement

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Free University of California Personal Statement Sample

Good personal statement on oklahoma city university school of law, why my gpa fell and why do i think i'm ready to come back personal statement samples, education personal statement.

I desire an entry-level position serving as a Probation Officer or Probation Agent. I wish to utilize my education, background, and skills. I can bring a professional demeanor to the position.

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Writing A Victim Personal Statement for Court

Table of Contents

Knowing the legal protocols and requirements for a successful court case in the UK can be intimidating. A personal statement allows the court to get to know someone victimized. By referring to personal statement examples for court UK , individuals can understand what a persuasive argument requires. 

This article provides guidance to help you create a compelling personal statement to make your case stand out. This kind of document is called a victim personal statement (VPS). Let’s get started!

What Is A Victim Personal Statement?

A Victim Personal Statement is a written account of how an individual has been affected by a crime . It outlines the physical, psychological, and emotional effects that the victim experienced before, during, and after the incident occurred. Through this statement, victims can convey to the court their perspective of the event and explain the lasting impact it had on them. 

An individual statement allows you to explain in your own words how the crime affected you and your family. The issue will be considered by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case and can play a crucial role in sentencing. 

This statement should include details about any medical care needed and financial losses incurred due to the offense. Ultimately, the goal is for victims to share their stories with empathy, honesty, and eloquence.

Who Is Authorized to Make a Victim Personal Statement?

A victim is typically the only person authorized to make a personal statement about their experience. Depending on the jurisdiction, other people may be allowed to make statements on behalf of victims in some cases. Such individuals include: 

• Family members or legal representatives.
• The most heinous crime’s victims (including bereaved close relatives).
• The victims that were consistently the target, 
• Victims who are vulnerable or intimidated, whether or not they have made a witness statement.

Why Are Victim Personal Statements Important?

Victim personal statements are important because they offer survivors of crime a platform to speak out and have their voices heard. They allow victims to explain the impact that the crime has had on them, both emotionally and financially. Such statement provides the victims with an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe space. 

Hearing these stories means courts can gain insight into the trauma of crime victims, making more empathy available in sentence decisions.

Moreover, victims’ personal statements can be a source of healing; by being understood, they may feel less isolated and empowered to move forward.

Information to Include in a Victim Personal Statement

A Victim Personal Statement should include details of the incident, such as:

The Time and Location of the Accident

When and where it occurred, who was involved, and what physical or emotional harm may have been caused. 

The Effect on the Victim

It should also explain how the victim has been affected by the incident, including any lasting effects that may still be felt. 

Highlight Any Financial Losses Incurred

Additionally, the statement should include financial losses caused by the incident and any compensation requests made by the victim.

Call to Action for Justice

Finally, a statement should describe why the victim believes justice should be served and describe their experiences.

Personal Statement Examples for Court UK

On January 16th, 2016, I heard a loud noise, was jolted out of my chair and lost my balance. I looked up to see my neighbor’s car had crashed into the side of my house. Other tenants were standing outside staring at the car as I struggled to make sense of what had happened. The car company steward informed me that it was an accident. I am requesting justice from the court because I was a victim of a crime in the UK and had a terrifying experience. Today, I want to present facts to the judge and raise awareness of my situation, which has left me feeling violated and vulnerable. I must now seek the acclaim and compensation that I justly deserve.

I can attest that the perpetrator mistreated me without considering my rights or well-being. His actions were cold-blooded and calculated, causing me to experience severe emotional distress in addition to material losses. It’s vital to stress that despite always acting within my legal rights, I encountered unfair resistance.

I believe my story should help highlight the seriousness of such crimes and their devastating effects on those living with heartless systems. We can only begin to address the pervasive dread felt by all members of society, especially those who are most vulnerable.

The court should take into account the story’s broad implications, which are often ignored. I appreciate your thoughts and time.

I stand before you today an unyielding testament to the grievous harms inflicted upon me by my accuser. I have been victimized not just physically but mentally and emotionally, a triple-faceted assault on my spirit that has left me permanently scarred. While I keep my desire for justice strong, I seek no compensation except for having the perpetrator held accountable for wrong faith. 

Throughout this difficult ordeal, I have wrestled with fear and despair – though never succumbing to either. I try to maintain a sense of composure and sagacity while doing what is right. The baneful machinations of my attacker had almost broken me at one point, yet here I am, courageously advocating for myself through dogged perseverance. This truth remains immutable: my unwavering commitment to rectitude shall never waver.

The victim’s personal statement in court in the UK is a highly important document that can have life-changing consequences. It is essential to approach it with care and thoughtfulness. 

Overall,  personal statement examples for court UK  can help to provide guidance and structure when crafting a statement in court. The key is to write with emotion, focus on the facts, use clear language and vary sentence structure. With these tips in mind, anyone should be able to craft an impactful and convincing statement that will get their point across effectively. 

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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