Rule 22.19 Availability of witness statements for inspection during the final hearing

(1)

This rule applies to proceedings under Part 7 (matrimonial and civil partnership proceedings).

(2)

A witness statement which stands as evidence in chief^(GL) is open to inspection during the course of the final hearing unless the court directs otherwise.

(3)

Any person may ask for a direction that a witness statement is not open to inspection.

(4)

The court will not make a direction under paragraph (2) unless it is satisfied that a witness statement should not be open to inspection because of—

(a)

the interests of justice;

(b)

the public interest;

(c)

the nature of any expert medical evidence in the statement;

(d)

the nature of any confidential information (including information relating to personal financial matters) in the statement; or

(e)

the need to protect the interests of any child or protected party.

(5)

The court may exclude from inspection words or passages in the witness statement.