How to Write Your Statement for Court

What is a witness statement?

A witness statement is a written document that sets out your version of events in your own words. In family court proceedings involving children, it gives you the chance to explain your situation, your concerns, and what arrangements you believe would be best for your child.

The court relies on witness statements to understand each parent's perspective before a hearing. Your statement may be the main way the judge learns about your circumstances, so it needs to be clear, honest, and well organised.

If you have applied for a child arrangements order, or you are responding to an application made by the other parent, the court will usually set a deadline for when your statement must be filed and sent to all other parties. Missing this deadline can result in your statement being disregarded entirely, which may seriously affect your ability to present your side of the case. If you cannot meet a deadline, contact the court promptly or seek legal advice about requesting an extension.

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Formatting requirements

Witness statements in family proceedings must follow rules set out in the Family Procedure Rules and relevant Practice Directions. Getting the format right shows the court you have taken the process seriously and makes your statement easier to read.

At the top left of your statement, write the name of the court in capital letters. The case number should appear on the top right.

Below this, set out the names of the parties. The person who made the application is the Applicant, and the other party is the Respondent. This is usually written as:

• Between: [Applicant's full name] (Applicant)
• And: [Respondent's full name] (Respondent)

Give your statement a title that makes its purpose clear, such as "Witness Statement of [Your Name]".

Number each paragraph and include page numbers throughout. This makes it easier for everyone to refer to specific parts of your statement during the hearing. Use a clear font such as Arial or Times New Roman in size 12, with 1.5 line spacing, and set margins that ensure readability. Check whether your local court has additional formatting requirements.

At the end of your statement, you must include a statement of truth in accordance with Practice Direction 22A under the Family Procedure Rules. This confirms that you believe the facts you have written are true. The standard wording 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."

Sign and date the document below the statement of truth.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

What to include in your statement

Start with some basic background. Give your full name, address, and your relationship to the child. Briefly explain the history of your family situation, including when you and the other parent separated and what the arrangements for your child have been since then.

Move on to explain what you are asking the court to order, or if you are the respondent, your position on what the applicant has requested. Be specific about the arrangements you want. Rather than saying you want "regular contact", set out the days, times, and any details about handovers or holidays.

If there are particular concerns you want the court to know about, explain them factually. Stick to what you have seen or experienced directly. Avoid guessing at the other parent's motivations or making accusations you cannot support. Courts generally favour factual and measured language over emotional appeals or personal attacks.

Where you have evidence to back up what you say, mention it briefly and indicate that you can provide documents if needed. This might include text messages, emails, medical records, or school reports. If a Cafcass assessment has been carried out, refer to any relevant findings where they support your position.

Think about what the other parent is likely to say and, where appropriate, respond to points you expect them to raise. This shows the court you have considered the full picture.

Keep your child at the centre of your statement. The court's main concern is what arrangement will best serve the child's welfare. Focus on practical matters: stability, routines, schooling, health needs, and your child's relationships with both parents and other family members.

Practical tips for writing

Present your narrative directly using the first person. Use "I" rather than "the Applicant" when referring to yourself. This keeps your statement personal and easier to follow.

Keep sentences short where you can. Long, complicated sentences are harder to follow and may obscure your main points. Read your statement aloud to check it flows naturally.

Avoid legal jargon unless you are certain of its meaning. Plain English is always better. If you are unsure about a term, leave it out or look it up on GOV.UK or in the court's guidance notes.

Maintain honesty and transparency in your accounts. If there are facts that do not reflect well on you, it is usually better to acknowledge them briefly and explain the context than to hope the court does not find out. Judges are experienced at spotting gaps in evidence.

Check the page limit. Some courts set a maximum length for witness statements, often around 15 to 25 pages depending on the type of hearing. If yours is running long, look for repetition or material that does not add anything new.

Before filing, ask someone you trust to read through your statement. A fresh pair of eyes can catch errors and unclear passages. If you can afford it, a family law solicitor can review your draft and suggest improvements. When engaging a solicitor, follow any procedural advice they give about your specific case and court.

Once your statement is complete, make enough copies for the court, the other party, and anyone else the court has directed. Keep a copy for yourself to refer to at the hearing.

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