Statement of Truth

What is it?

When people who have used a path are completing a longer-format user evidence form, or when landowners are making s.31 Highways Act 1980 statements that they have not dedicated a path as a highway, there will usually be a ‘Statement of Truth’ as part of the relevant form.

Example Warning

A typical statement of truth will be accompanied by a warning along these lines:

Warning: If you dishonestly enter information or make a statement that you know is, or might be, untrue or misleading, and intend by doing so to make a gain for yourself or another person, or to cause loss or the risk of loss to another person, you may commit the offence of fraud under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006, the maximum penalty for which is 10 years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine, or both.

Example Statement of Truth

Statement of Truth

I BELIEVE THAT THE FACTS AND MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS FORM / STATEMENT ARE TRUE.

(followed by the date and signature of the person making the statement)

Comment

The aim of the statement of truth is to deter false statements that could mislead the decision-making authority in a rights of way dispute. They strengthen the value of the evidence because of the penalties for those who would make false statements. For those telling the truth, there is nothing to worry about.