norwich-family-court--cpr-32-14-false-statement

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CPR 32.14 is the rule that gives a witness statement its teeth: a person who makes a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth, without an honest belief in its truth, can face contempt of court proceedings. For litigants in person at Norwich Combined Court Centre, the risk is usually carelessness, not dishonesty - which is why evidence discipline matters.

What counts as a false statement

Not being mistaken - being dishonest. The rule requires the statement to be false AND made without an honest belief in its truth. Exaggerating figures you know are wrong, claiming a document says what it does not, or inventing a conversation are the danger zone. Honest mistakes, genuinely held recollections, and matters of opinion are not contempt - they are just evidence the other side argues with.

How to protect yourself

Write only what you can support: every fact traced to a document in your bundle or to your own direct experience; every number reconciled; hearsay labelled as such. If you realise after signing that a statement was wrong, tell the court at the earliest opportunity through a corrected statement - self-correction is the opposite of dishonesty.

Checklist

Every factual claim traceable to an exhibit or personal knowledge
Estimates labelled as estimates
Hearsay identified with its source
Errors corrected promptly if discovered

Official sources and related pages

[Statement of truth exact wording](/guides/statement-of-truth-wording-cpr-32.html)
[Witness statement formatting](/courts/norwich-family-court--witness-statement.html)

Court details (verified register data)

Court: Norwich Combined Court Centre
Court code: 285
Address: The Law Courts, Bishopgate, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1UR
Phone: 0300 123 5577 (enquiries); 01603 728200 (switchboard)
Civil filing email: NorwichCountyAdoptions@justice.gov.uk
DX: DX 97385 Norwich 5
Public counter hours: Monday to Friday
Document drop-box: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
Hearing format: Not published in the register - confirm with the court directly
Facilities: level access, hearing loop, Sunflower lanyards, lift, baby changing

*Source: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/norwich-combined-court-centre. Verified 2026-09-04. Always confirm against the official court finder before travelling.*

Free national support

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This page is general information about County Court procedure, not legal advice, and it is not provided by HMCTS or any court. Procedures and fees change - always confirm against the official sources linked here before you act.

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*Reviewed by Sean McNamara, 2026-09-04.*