Perjury | KANGS Criminal Defence Solicitors

Committing perjury is a serious offence, conviction for which is likely to result in a prison sentence.

Sukhdip Randhawa of KANGS Solicitors outlines the basics of the offence.

What is Perjury?

Statutory Definition.

Section 1 (1) Perjury Act 1911 provides:

‘If any person lawfully sworn as a witness or as an interpreter in a judicial proceeding wilfully makes a statement material in that proceeding, which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true, he shall be guilty…’

In view of the seriousness of the offence an allegation of perjury is triable only upon indictment before a Crown Court and carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment upon conviction.

Judicial Interpretation

In the case of R v Warne (1980) 2 Cr. App.R. (S) 42 Chapman J stated that the offence of perjury was:

‘one of the most serious offences on the criminal calendar because it wholly undermines the whole basis of the administration of justice’.

Potential Defence for Perjury

As will be seen from the Statutory Definition, the false statement has to be material and the maker has to have known it was false or did not believe it to be true.

It is not enough for the Prosecution simply to show that the defendant lied in court.

For example, if the defendant inaccurately described the colour of a motor vehicle involved in an incident, this may well not be relevant, unless the colour was important in identifying the vehicle.

The false testimony has to be relevant as opposed to trivial.

How Can We Help?

Anyone faced with an allegation that perjury has been committed should seek immediate expert advice for guidance from the outset.

At KANGS Solicitors we field a team of highly experienced solicitors who are available to assist and if you find yourself requiring our services then please do not hesitate to contact us through any of the following:

Sukhdip Randhawa
srandhawa@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396 | 07989 521 210

Helen Holder
hholder@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396 | 07989 521 210