Being a witness in the High Court and County Courts

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Why have I been asked to be a witness?

You have been asked to be a witness because you have something to tell (called 'evidence') which may help a person (a 'party') who is making a claim or disputing a claim made through a civil court.

Depending on the type of claim, the person who started it can be called the 'claimant', 'petitioner' or 'applicant', and the person disputing it the 'defendant' or 'respondent'.

A civil court deals with non-criminal matters, for example:

• family proceedings, including divorce and adoption;
• claims for debt; and
• claims for damages to compensate for personal injury or damage to property.

A civil case can be heard in either a county court the High Court.

You might be asked to be a witness by a party, or by a party's solicitor, because, for example,

• you have seen an accident take place, and are able to say how it happened. In this case you are called a 'witness of fact'; or
• you have a special qualification, knowledge or skill (doctor, dentist, plumber, builder, mechanic), and can give a professional opinion (a 'report'), about injuries, the state of repair of a motor vehicle or the quality of building work done by others. In this case you are called an 'expert witness'.