Witness Statement Reforms – What To Note And Why Not To Worry

These notes follow the #HardwickeBrew given by Lesley Anderson QC, Sarah Clarke, Gemma Witherington, Emily Betts and Joshua Griffin of the Hardwicke CDR Team on 30^th March 2021 which looked at some of the practical issues resulting from recent changes to the regulations relating to witness statements used in the Business & Property Courts. All the information below was correct as at 30^th March 2021.

Short introduction to the changes

• We are dealing with Practice Direction 57AC (the "PD") and the recent reforms to witness evidence at trial in the Business & Property Courts ("B & PC").
• The reforms apply to most but not all trials in the B & PC with effect from 6^th April 2021 including in relation to existing cases.