Witness-statement redaction is the removal of personal data from a signed account of the facts. CPR PD 32 asks it to give the witness's full name and address, or a work address where it is made in a professional capacity. anonym.plus marks each identifier on your device, so the evidence stays whole while the protected data is removed.
When this applies
A witness statement recites first-hand facts, so it names third parties and their details. In the Business and Property Courts CPR PD 57AC adds a confirmation of compliance from the witness and a certificate from the legal representative. Both must survive the pass, along with the statement of truth CPR Part 22 requires.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Load the document into anonym.plus on your device.
- The tool flags the witness and third-party identifiers.
- Local OCR reads a scanned, signed page.
- Keep the verification block and any compliance certificate intact.
- Swap or black out the confirmed items.
- Save the clean copy locally.
What you need to provide
- The signed account (PDF, DOCX, or scan).
- An operator (Replace keeps the evidence readable).
- Optional name map for parties across linked filings.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Witness Park → [WITNESS] |
| Identifiers | UK_NINO | JM 33 77 12 C → [NINO] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | DOB 1969 → [DOB] |
| Financial | UK_BANK_NUMBER | acct 5521 → [ACCOUNT] |
| Minor | PERSON | child T.P. → [MINOR] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | +44 113 496 0992 → [PHONE] |
Compliance achieved
- Handles the witness's own name and address, which CPR PD 32 requires the document to give, so you mask a home address only where the court permits.
- Keeps the statement of truth CPR Part 22 requires.
- Leaves the confirmation of compliance and the legal representative's certificate that CPR PD 57AC adds for trial witness statements in the Business and Property Courts.
- Anticipates the non-party access route confirmed in Cape Intermediate Holdings Ltd v Dring [2019] UKSC 38.
- Supports lawful handling of health or other special category data under UK GDPR Art. 9(2)(f), processing necessary for legal claims.
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Limitations & cautions
A signed narrative can re-identify a person through a unique fact, not just a name. CPR PD 32 also expects the witness's address, so removing it is a decision for the court or for counsel, not a default.
Frequently asked questions
Can I redact the witness's own address?
Not by default. CPR PD 32 asks for the witness's address, or a work address where the account is made in a professional capacity. If exposure is a real concern, that is an application to the court, not a silent edit.
Will redaction affect the statement of truth or a PD 57AC certificate?
No, if you allow-list them. CPR Part 22 requires the statement of truth, and CPR PD 57AC adds the witness's confirmation and the legal representative's certificate in the Business and Property Courts. Only body identifiers are flagged.
Can a scanned, signed page be processed?
Yes. Local OCR reads the scan, so identifiers printed on it are caught for review.