How do you write a good witness statement for an employment tribunal?
Your witness statement should say what happened, in the order that it happened. It should be as clear as possible. You should use the full names of anyone you mention, but use the same language you would normally use. Don’t try to make it sound posh for the tribunal or use words you don’t understand.
How do you document a witness statement?
Begin the document by writing the full legal name, complete address, and the occupation of the witness giving the statement. Number the paragraphs and make sure that each paragraph has an idea or fact in it. Ask the witness to affix his signature on the last page along with the date he signed the document.
How do I write a witness statement UK?
Witness statements must:
- Start with the name of the case and the claim number;
- State the full name and address of the witness;
- Set out the witness’s evidence clearly in numbered paragraphs on numbered pages;
- End with this paragraph: ‘I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true.
How long should an employment tribunal witness statement be?
3,500 to 6,000 words
A Claimant’s witness statement in a case of normal length could easily be 3,500 to 6,000 words. It is important to focus on the key issues. For example, in a discrimination case, you will need to focus on the way the Claimant was treated differently to other workers and the evidence of this.
How do I cross examine in Employment Tribunal?
During cross-examination you may be asked leading questions (questions that prompt or encourage the answer wanted), questions that just require yes/no answers or questions that require you to elaborate further or deal with a situation hypothetically. You should answer all the questions that are put to you.
Can I write my own witness statement?
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.
Can the accused see witness statements UK?
Reading statements before trial Although witnesses are not entitled as of right to see a copy of their statement before the day of trial, there is no general rule that prohibits a witness from seeing their statement before trial.
Are witness statements confidential UK?
Are witness statements confidential? Not quite. Once your witness statement is served, it may only be used for the legal proceedings for which it is produced. the witness statement has been put into evidence at a hearing to be held in public, ie in open court.
Do you have to attend an Employment Tribunal as a witness?
If you have been asked by the Claimant or Respondent to be a witness and you have refused, it is possible the Employment Tribunal will grant a Witness Order requiring you to attend.
When do you have to submit a witness statement to the Employment Tribunal?
The Employment Tribunal (ET) will usually make an order at the first Preliminary Hearing for you and your Employer to exchange witness statements. They can also write separately asking you to submit a witness statement. Even if the ET does not do this, you and your Employer must arrange to exchange witness statements before the hearing.
What should be included in a witness statement?
The role of the witness statement is primarily to address the issues that the employment tribunal will need to determine at the hearing. The witness statement is an employer’s way of setting out their stall and will discuss the reasons why, and the evidence for, the employer to successfully defend their claim.
Can a witness be the evidence in chief?
It also provides a witness statement template with guidance on how to write an effective witness statement. You should use it for all witness statements that you are asked to submit in support of your claim or applications. As the person making the claim, your witness statement is your “Evidence in Chief”.
When do witness statements have to be exchanged?
At the preliminary hearing, or by letter, the tribunal will set out a schedule for the case which will include a date for the exchange of witness statements. That date will generally be around 4 weeks prior to the hearing itself – so quite late on in the process.