PART 17STATEMENTS OF TRUTH
Documents to be verified by a statement of truth17.2
1
Subject to paragraph (9), the following documents must be verified by a statement of truth—
a
a statement of case;
b
a witness statement;
c
an acknowledgement of service in a claim begun by the Part 19 procedure;
d
a certificate of service;
e
a statement of arrangements for children;
f
a statement of information filed under rule 9.26(1)(b); and
g
any other document where a rule or practice direction requires it.
2
Where a statement of case is amended, the amendments must be verified by a statement of truth unless the court orders otherwise.
3
If an applicant wishes to rely on matters set out in the application form or application notice as evidence, the application form or notice must be verified by a statement of truth.
4
Subject to paragraph (5), a statement of truth is a statement that—
a
the party putting forward the document;
b
in the case of a witness statement, the maker of the witness statement; or
c
in the case of a certificate of service, the person who signs the certificate,
believes the facts stated in the document are true.
5
If a party is conducting proceedings with a litigation friend, the statement of truth in—
a
a statement of case; or
b
an application notice,
is a statement that the litigation friend believes the facts stated in the document being verified are true.
6
The statement of truth must be signed by—
a
in the case of a statement of case—
i
the party or litigation friend; or
ii
the legal representative on behalf of the party or litigation friend; and
b
in the case of a witness statement or statement of arrangements for children, the maker of the statement.
7
A statement of truth, which is not contained in the document which it verifies, must clearly identify that document.
8
A statement of truth in a statement of case may be made by—
a
a person who is not a party; or
b
by two parties jointly,
where this is permitted by a practice direction.
9
An application that does not contain a statement of facts need not be verified by a statement of truth.
(Practice Direction 17A sets out the form of statement of truth.)