# The Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, Rule 48.12: Content of written witness statement

Extent: E+W

(1) This rule applies to a written witness statement served under rule 48.11.
(2) Such a written witness statement must contain a declaration by the person making it that it is true to the best of that person’s knowledge and belief.
[Note. By reason of sections 15 and 45 of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court each has an inherent power to imprison (for a maximum of 2 years), or fine (to an unlimited amount), or both, for contempt of court a person who, in a written witness statement to which this rule applies, makes, or causes to be made, a false statement without an honest belief in its truth. See also section 14 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981.]

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/909/rule/48.12 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-procedure-rules-2025/rule-48.12
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.