In a bid to end witness statements which read like submissions, the Business and Property Court have decided to tackle “over lawyer’ed” witness statements head on in a new practice direction. The Practice Direction applies to new and existing proceedings, but only to witness statements signed on or after 6.4.21. It does not apply to affadavit evidence, or evidence in a witness statement other than a trial witness statement. Certain types of cases are excluded (See 1.3) including proceedings falling within CPR 57 and 64.