All lawyers using the Civil Courts in England & Wales ought to be aware of changes to the Civil Procedure Rules that take effect next week. In particular, amendments to CPR 22 revise the form of Statements of Truth.
As civil law solicitors and barristers come across the statement of truth almost daily, it makes sense to familiarise yourself with the new CPR 22 PD. (The changes are all to the Practice Direction).
Updated statement of truth wording
From Monday 6 April 2020 the statement of truth wording will be amended to add the second sentence:
I believe that the facts stated in this [name document being verified] are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.
It can still be adapted to: ‘The Claimant ..etc’.
Witness statements affected too
An identical additional statement is added in CPR 22 PD 2.2 for the statement of truth for witness statements. No changes are made to CPR 22 PD 2.2A for the statement of truth for cost budgets.
These changes expressly draw the attention of the maker to CPR 32.14 and its potential consequences.
The other changes are that the statement of truth must be in the maker’s own language (CPR 22 PD 2.4) and must be dated on the day it is made (CPR 22 PD 2.5).
There also some consequential amendments.