Legal dispute query

FDa65rdk

Hello

My ex is taking a landlord who ripped her off to court.

This happened while we were together, and at the time I wrote a statement as a witness.
She is due to go to court soon and has asked if I could attend to give evidence personally or, if I’m unable to do so, to submit the statement (with it signed) along with a photo of my driving licence so that the signatures can be matched to verify me as a witness.

Is submitting a signed statement and a form of ID a standard procedure or is this something I should avoid doing?

Thanks

AnotherJoe

I assume you are on good terms with your ex and wish to help her amd would be a witness in person if you could.
So why do you think you might wish to avoid making this statement and using your ID as proof of who you are ? Without it it could be a letter from anyone.

davidmcn

I don't know enough about the relevant evidence rules to say whether it's standard procedure, but I can't think of a reason why you should refuse.

FDa65rdk

I didn't want to go into this initially but the relationship ended badly and her request for help with the court case is the only contact we've had since splitting up.

The fact is she (in spite of many good points) is highly volatile, unpredictable and irrational and I wanted to make sure that I don't do anything that leaves me vulnerable in any way.

But she WAS ripped off and I'm willing to help if there is no way this can be rebound on me. I don't see how providing a photo of my driving licence can be used against me but I wanted to double check.

Is there any way in which it could?

Thanks

davidmcn

I have no idea how it could "rebound" on you either.

LadyDee

Ask your ex for her solicitor to send you an Affidavit for swearing to be lodged at court with her other evidence. This would have more weight than a signed statement. Presumably she does have a solicitor? You might not have to even attend court if the other side accept the contents of your Affidavit.

eddddy

FDa65rdk wrote: »

But she WAS ripped off and I'm willing to help if there is no way this can be rebound on me. I don't see how providing a photo of my driving licence can be used against me but I wanted to double check.

In terms of potential 'rebounds'...

Obviously, a copy of the witness statement will be passed to the landlord - so the landlord could use the information as they wish.

(e.g. If you say in the statement that you left a rotten kipper in the water tank, they could use it as evidence to make a claim against you for cleaning out the water system.)

And I guess if you include a copy of your driving licence in the witness statement - that might be passed to the landlord.

And if you lie in the statement, you would be in contempt of court.


(Where has the idea about providing a copy of the driving licence come from? Has somebody advised your ex that is required, or is it something she made up?)

Cakeguts

What evidence do you have that she was ripped off? If it is her word only and no other evidence backing it up I would suggest you proceed with caution especially after how you describe her.

davidmcn

Cakeguts wrote: »

What evidence do you have that she was ripped off? If it is her word only and no other evidence backing it up

Clearly the OP has some evidence to add, otherwise they wouldn't have been asked to be a witness. Witnesses don't need to be persuaded that "their" side has a case, they're just there to state what they know.

G_M

LadyDee wrote: »

Ask your ex for her solicitor to send you an Affidavit for swearing to be lodged at court with her other evidence. This would have more weight than a signed statement. Presumably she does have a solicitor? You might not have to even attend court if the other side accept the contents of your Affidavit.

Most likely this is going via the Small Claims Track where legal costs cannot be claimed specifically to dissuade either side from using solicitors.

So it's unlikely the OP has one. If she did, the solicitor's costs might well exceed the amount being claimed.


I too cannot see how a photo of your driving licence could be used against you. But if in doubt, why not attend in person?

FDa65rdk

Thanks for the responses.

It's unlikely that I will be able to attend in person. It was my ex's suggestion to provide a signed copy of the statement I made earlier this year along with a photo of my driving licence and to my knowledge she does not have a solicitor.

As far as the landlord ripping her off is concerned, it did happen, she was ripped off and because of that I feel it is only right to support her in this.

My concern is whether there is some way in which the photo of my driving licence could be used against me by anyone involved in the case, whether it is by my ex or by the landlord.

Personally I don't see how it can be used against me by I wanted to hear other people's views.