Rule 32.2 Evidence of witnesses—general ruleI1

England and Wales

(1)

The general rule is that any fact which needs to be proved by the evidence of witnesses is to be proved—

(a)

at trial, by their oral evidence given in public; and

(b)

at any other hearing, by their evidence in writing.

(2)

This is subject—

(a)

to any provision to the contrary contained in these Rules or elsewhere; or

(b)

to any order of the court.

F1(3)

The court may give directions—

(a)

identifying or limiting the issues to which factual evidence may be directed;

(b)

identifying the witnesses who may be called or whose evidence may be read; or

(c)

limiting the length or format of witness statements.

Annotations

F1: Rule 32.2(3) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/262), rules 2, 12 (with rule 22)

C1: Pt. 32 applied (1.11.2009) by The Water Industry (Special Administration) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2477), rules 2, 75
C2: Pt. 32 applied (30.6.2011) by The Investment Bank Special Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2011 (S.I. 2011/1301), rules 2, 225(4) (with rule 5)
C3: Pt. 32 applied (31.1.2014) by The Postal Administration Rules 2013 (S.I. 2013/3208), rules 1, 130(3) (with rules 3, 210)
C4: Pt. 32 applied (6.4.2017) by The Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (S.I. 2016/1024), rules 1, 12.1(3) (with rule 3(3), Sch. 2)
C5: Pt. 32 applied (5.7.2018) by The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 (S.I. 2018/719), rules 1.1, 4.1(3) (with rule 1.2)
C6: Pt. 32 applied (31.1.2019) by The Education Administration Rules 2018 (S.I. 2018/1135), rules 1, 4.1(3) (with rule 1.2)
C7: Pt. 32 applied (12.11.2021) by The Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/1178), rules 2, 187(4)
C8: Pt. 32 applied (18.7.2023) by The Relevant Licensee Nuclear Company Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2023 (S.I. 2023/712), rules 1(2)(a), 130(3) (with rule 2)
C9: Pt. 32 applied (19.11.2025) by The Carbon Dioxide Transport and Storage (Licensed Operators) Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2025 (S.I. 2025/1135), rules 1(2)(a), 130(3) (with rule 2(1))