criminal solicitors on perjury

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Purvis v Director of Public Prosecutions [2020] EWHC 3573

Criminal solicitors when advising on the law in relation to perjury, should be aware of the guidance in this case which considered the definition of Perjury.  Where in evidence something wrong is said or presented in evidence, there are 3 possible explanations:

1. It is a lie.
2. It is an honest mistake.
3. The maker of the statement did not know it was false, but neither did he positively believe it to be true.

1 & 3 above would constitute perjury whereas an honest mistake would not.