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A Witness Statement captures someone's firsthand account of events they saw or experienced - like an accident, workplace incident, or business dispute. In Belgian legal proceedings, these written declarations carry significant weight, especially when the witness signs them under oath before a court official or notary.

Belgian courts rely on these statements during both civil and criminal cases, where they help judges piece together what happened. While informal witness accounts can work for internal investigations, formal legal proceedings require statements to follow strict Belgian Civil Code guidelines about formatting, timing, and authentication. Companies often gather these statements quickly after incidents to preserve crucial details while memories remain fresh.

Get a Witness Statement right away when something significant happens that might lead to legal action or an investigation. This includes workplace accidents, harassment claims, property damage, or any situation where someone directly observed important events. In Belgium, gathering these statements quickly helps preserve crucial evidence while memories are fresh.

These statements prove especially valuable during employment disputes, insurance claims, and regulatory investigations. Belgian courts give more weight to witness accounts documented soon after incidents. The statements also help protect your organization by creating a clear record of events, which can prevent conflicting versions of stories from emerging later. Many companies now collect statements as part of their standard incident response protocols.

• Written witness statements: The most common type, used in civil courts and workplace investigations. These follow standard Belgian legal formatting and must be signed and dated.
• Sworn statements (déclarations sous serment): Made before a notary or court official, carrying extra legal weight in formal proceedings.
• Police witness statements (procès-verbal): Specifically formatted for criminal investigations and proceedings.
• Digital statements: Increasingly accepted in Belgian courts when properly authenticated, often used in corporate settings.
• Expert witness statements: Detailed technical or professional observations, requiring specific qualifications and formatting under Belgian law.

• Witnesses: Anyone who directly observed relevant events and provides their account in the statement, from employees to bystanders.
• Legal Professionals: Lawyers and notaries who help format statements properly and ensure they meet Belgian legal requirements.
• HR Managers: Often collect and maintain witness statements during workplace incidents or investigations.
• Court Officials: Review and authenticate statements, especially for formal legal proceedings.
• Company Representatives: Gather statements after incidents to document events and protect organizational interests.
• Insurance Adjusters: Use statements to evaluate claims and determine liability in accident cases.

• Basic Details: Record the witness's full name, contact information, and relationship to the incident or parties involved.
• Timing: Document the date, time, and location of both the incident and when the statement is being made.
• Clear Narrative: Let the witness describe events in their own words, keeping the account chronological and factual.
• Supporting Details: Include relevant environmental conditions, other present parties, and any physical evidence.
• Authentication: Ensure proper signing, dating, and witnessing according to Belgian legal requirements.
• Documentation: Attach any relevant photos, diagrams, or supporting documents mentioned in the statement.

• Declaration Header: Full name, address, and occupation of the witness, plus date and location of statement.
• Truth Statement: Clear declaration that the account is true and accurate to the best of knowledge.
• Event Details: Precise date, time, and location of the witnessed events.
• Narrative Section: Chronological, first-person account of observations in clear, factual language.
• Supporting Information: References to any attached evidence or documentation.
• Privacy Notice: Statement about personal data handling under Belgian privacy laws.
• Signature Block: Witness signature, date, and authentication by relevant authority when required.

A Witness Statement differs significantly from a Certification Statement in several key ways. While both documents provide formal declarations, they serve distinct legal purposes in Belgian law.

• Purpose and Timing: Witness Statements record firsthand observations of specific events after they occur, while Certification Statements formally verify facts, qualifications, or compliance status before or during official processes.
• Legal Weight: Witness Statements focus on narrative accounts of events and require authentication by relevant authorities. Certification Statements carry regulatory or administrative authority and often need specific professional credentials.
• Content Structure: Witness Statements follow a chronological, narrative format describing observations. Certification Statements use standardized language to confirm specific facts or requirements.
• Usage Context: Witness Statements primarily support legal proceedings or investigations. Certification Statements typically serve regulatory, professional, or administrative purposes in business operations.