Witnesses and statements

Introduction

1. A "witness" is a person who has evidence that may be relevant to an investigation and/or a criminal prosecution. A "witness statement" is a written record of that evidence.

2. This section outlines the main legal procedures and rules of evidence that may be relevant to witness statements and their admission in criminal proceedings. ‘Statements’ can be those taken voluntarily on a form compatible with section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) such as an LP70 and written record of compelled information taken under section 20 of the HSW Act., the LP7 form. The latter can not normally be admitted in to court proceedings.