Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Witness Statement
"I need a witness statement detailing events from January 2022 to March 2022, including specific dates, times, and locations, with a focus on interactions with the defendant and any relevant documentation."
What is a Witness Statement?
A Witness Statement captures someone's first-hand account of events in their own words, serving as vital evidence in Philippine legal proceedings. When someone sees, hears, or experiences something relevant to a case, their detailed narrative gets recorded and sworn before proper authorities.
Under Philippine Rules of Court, these statements help judges and lawyers understand what happened from different perspectives. Courts especially value witness statements in criminal cases, civil disputes, and administrative hearings where direct testimony matters. A well-prepared statement includes specific details about what the witness observed, along with the time, place, and people involved.
When should you use a Witness Statement?
Use a Witness Statement immediately after an incident occurs when memories are fresh and details are clear. This written record becomes crucial for workplace accidents, traffic collisions, property disputes, or any situation where you need to preserve someone's direct observations for legal proceedings in Philippine courts.
Gather Witness Statements during internal investigations, employment disputes, or insurance claims - especially when multiple people observed the same event. The statement's value increases when collected promptly, as it helps establish facts, supports legal positions, and provides credible evidence that courts and regulatory bodies accept. In business settings, these statements often protect companies during audits and compliance reviews.
What are the different types of Witness Statement?
- Letter Of Witness Statement: Standard format for general incidents, legal proceedings, and business disputes
- Witness Letter For Relationship: Confirms personal relationships for immigration or legal purposes
- Witness Letter For Marriage: Documents marriage-related observations for legal or religious requirements
- Affidavit Of Witness Of Birth: Formally attests to circumstances of someone's birth, often used for late registration
Who should typically use a Witness Statement?
- Eyewitnesses: People who directly observed events and provide first-hand accounts under oath
- Legal Professionals: Lawyers who help draft and validate statements, ensuring they meet court requirements
- Court Officials: Judges and clerks who review and consider witness statements as evidence
- Notary Publics: Officers who authenticate and certify witness statements
- Business Managers: Company representatives who collect statements for workplace incidents or investigations
- Law Enforcement: Police officers who gather witness accounts during investigations
- Insurance Adjusters: Claims processors who use statements to evaluate incidents
How do you write a Witness Statement?
- Basic Details: Gather full names, addresses, and contact information of all witnesses and involved parties
- Incident Facts: Record exact date, time, location, and sequence of events while memories are fresh
- Supporting Evidence: Collect photos, videos, or documents that back up the witness account
- Personal Knowledge: Clarify how the witness knows about the events they're describing
- Clear Language: Write in simple, direct terms avoiding opinions or assumptions
- Verification: Have the witness review the statement carefully before signing
- Notarization: Schedule an appointment with a notary public for proper authentication
What should be included in a Witness Statement?
- Personal Information: Full legal name, age, address, occupation, and relationship to the case
- Opening Declaration: Statement of personal knowledge and competency to testify
- Factual Narrative: Chronological account of events with specific dates, times, and locations
- Truth Affirmation: Declaration that all statements are true and correct
- Jurat: Notary's certification of identity and oath-taking
- Signature Block: Witness signature, date, and place of execution
- Government ID: Reference to valid identification presented during notarization
- Page Numbers: Sequential numbering with witness initials on each page
What's the difference between a Witness Statement and a Certification Statement?
A Witness Statement differs significantly from a Certification Statement in several key ways. While both documents serve as formal declarations, they have distinct purposes and legal implications in Philippine law.
- Source of Information: Witness Statements come from direct observers of events, while Certification Statements typically come from authorities or officials verifying facts or status
- Legal Weight: Witness Statements focus on personal observations and experiences, forming evidence in legal proceedings. Certification Statements officially confirm compliance, qualifications, or status
- Content Structure: Witness Statements contain narrative accounts with specific details about events. Certification Statements follow a more standardized format focusing on specific facts or conditions
- Verification Process: Witness Statements require notarization and personal appearance, while Certification Statements often need institutional or organizational endorsement
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.