---
title: "Keep a trial witness statement in the witness's own words"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/draft-an-affidavit-or-witness-statement-from-the-proof/united-kingdom"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A5-T1-R3-UK"
practice_area: "Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution"
tier: "red"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["UK"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-18"
---

# Keep a trial witness statement in the witness's own words

> Index the proof of evidence and the documents for the lawyer. Write no part of the statement, including its list of documents.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/draft-an-affidavit-or-witness-statement-from-the-proof/united-kingdom  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-18

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution](https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution.md) |
| Human involvement | Red: Lawyer writes; AI may check, clarify or collect data |
| How AI is used | Index the proof of evidence and the documents for the lawyer. Write no part of the statement, including its list of documents. |
| What the lawyer must review | The statement must be in the witness's own words where practicable (Practice Direction 32 para 18.1). In the Business and Property Courts it may contain only matters of fact within the witness's personal knowledge and must list the documents referred to (PD 57AC paras 3.1 and 3.2), with a statement of truth and the PD 57AC confirmation (para 4.1). Do not influence the substance of evidence (SRA Code para 2.2). |
| Written for | United Kingdom (England and Wales) |
| Applies to | [Draft an affidavit or witness statement from the proof](https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/draft-an-affidavit-or-witness-statement-from-the-proof.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: Index the proof of evidence and the documents for the lawyer. Write no part of the statement, including its list of documents.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 18 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Sworn and verified evidence stays the witness's own; the tool writes nothing in it.
- PD 57AC applies its Statement of Best Practice over any inconsistent court guide.

## Sources

- [Practice Direction 57AC – Trial witness statements in the Business and Property Courts](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part-57a-business-and-property-courts/practice-direction-57ac-trial-witness-statements-in-the-business-and-property-courts) (checked 2026-10-18)
- [SRA: Misuse of AI – warning notice (17 August 2026), listing Code para 2.2](https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/misuse-ai/) (checked 2026-10-18)

## Forms and precedents for this task

| Form or precedent | Kind | AI level | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Affidavit (Federal Court Form 59): form rules, annexures and GPN-AI limits on AI in evidence](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/commercial-litigation-and-dispute-resolution/form-fca-affidavit.md) | Form | Red | Link to the Federal Court's Form 59 with a guide to the form rules in r 29.02 (first person, numbered paragraphs, annexures, pagination, signatures) and the GPN-AI rules on AI in affidavits. |

Signed-in accounts can read the full text of each one.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*