When do I have to submit my witness statement to the tribunal?

Giving your statement to the other side

You must send your witness statement to the other side on the date set by the tribunal at the Case Management Hearing or in any Case Management Order. This is often ordered to be done simultaneously: so you will send your statement to the other side at the same time they send theirs to you. This ensures neither party has an advantage by knowing what the other side says before they have written their statements.

If you miss the deadline to serve the statement on the other side, your statement may be excluded and you might lose your chance to give evidence in person.

Delivery to the Tribunal

You will be directed when to give your statements to the tribunal: this could be as late as the morning of the first day of the hearing. This is normal, so don't think it strange, but it does means a clear, logical and well structured statement can help the tribunal when they are reading it just before the hearing starts.

If one party is represented by a lawyer, they may be ordered to upload copies of all statements to the tribunal a few days before the hearing.