plymouth-combined-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 Plymouth Combined Court, 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/plymouth-combined-court--witness-statement.html)

Court details (verified register data)

Court: Plymouth Combined Court
Court code: 296
Address: The Law Courts, 10 Armada Way, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2ER
Phone: 0300 123 5577
Civil filing email: enquiries.plymouth.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
DX: DX 98470 Plymouth 7
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: disabled access, hearing loop, security arch

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

Free national support

Support Through Court: 0300 081 0000 - free, independent support for litigants without a lawyer
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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.*