How Effective are the Legal Reforms in the Management of Witness Evidence for Business and Property Courts of England and Wales?

This study focuses on a critical examination into the extent in which the new PD57AC has been effective in the management of the witness evidence in the Business and Property Court of England and Wales. In particular, the study has determined that the new Practice Direction has somewhat performed in the regulation of the wording of the witness statements, references to witness statements in preparation, applications for objections to the witness statements, and the option of the court where drafters of the witness statements are non-compliant. Yet the thesis has also found out that despite the far-reaching reforms on the management of witness evidence under this Practice Direction, there are more areas that need improvement. This includes addressing inconsistencies in the conditions under which a witness statement could be struck out in the cross-examinations and trials at the BPCs.